Kenya Mourns as BBC Documentary Exposes KDF Role in Gen Z Protest Deaths

A harrowing BBC documentary titled "Blood Parliament" has sent shockwaves across Kenya, reigniting national grief and outrage over the violent deaths of young protesters during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. The film meticulously details how members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) were involved in the fatal shootings of unarmed Gen Z protesters outside the nation’s parliament on June 25, 2024, a day now etched in Kenya’s collective memory as a tragic turning point.

A Day of Protest Turned Deadly

The protests, driven by Kenya’s youth, were a response to the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which proposed tax hikes amid widespread economic hardship and allegations of systemic corruption. On that fateful Tuesday, thousands of young Kenyans, many mobilized through social media, gathered in Nairobi’s central business district. The atmosphere was initially vibrant, with protesters carrying Bluetooth speakers, waving Kenyan flags, and chanting for change. Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, present at the scene, described the early moments as “a beautiful party” filled with hope and unity.

However, as parliament convened to vote on the bill, tensions escalated. Protesters breached security barriers and entered the parliament compound, some setting parts of the building ablaze. In response, security forces, including police and KDF personnel, were deployed. The BBC’s investigation, based on over 5,000 images and videos from protesters, journalists, and livestreams, reveals a chilling sequence of events: unarmed protesters were shot at close range, with fatal shots traced to a KDF soldier and a police officer.

The BBC’s Damning Evidence

The documentary identifies a KDF soldier, distinguishable by a white shoulder patch, matte green helmet, tan boots, and a solid stock rifle, as one of the shooters. Analysis of footage shows the soldier executing a long-range headshot that killed 29-year-old Eric Shieni, a protester who posed no immediate threat. Another shooter, a plain-clothes police officer named John Kaboi from Central Nairobi Police Station, was captured shouting “kill” before firing into the crowd. Kaboi’s identity was less concealed, but a second police officer, recognizable by an upturned neck guard on his body armor, hid his face before shooting.

The BBC’s 3D reconstruction of the parliament grounds pinpointed the trajectories of bullets that killed three protesters, confirming they were unarmed and not engaging in violent acts. The investigation underscores a stark violation of Kenya’s constitutional guarantee of the right to peaceful protest. By sunset on June 25, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 39 deaths and 361 injuries nationwide, with Nairobi’s parliament as the epicenter of the bloodshed.

Voices of Grief and Defiance

The documentary has reopened wounds for families and survivors. Among the victims was Rex Kanyike Masai, a 29-year-old protester shot in the back while fleeing. His father, Chrisphine Odawa, recounted the painful loss of his “humble, hardworking, and generous” son, who had joined the protests after work. Rex’s mother demanded justice, stating, “The only crime my son committed was to fight for the rights of fellow citizens.” Similarly, Kevin Madanga, a first-year student at a teachers’ training college, was killed in Nakuru after being shot three times during a protest near the statehouse.

Journalist Willis Raburu, visibly shaken after watching the documentary, shared an emotional post on social media: “Each scene, each face, sear into your soul: the young, struck down while demanding dignity, justice, and change. It’s a grief so heavy it sits on your chest, refusing to lift.” Raburu’s words echo a broader sentiment of rage and helplessness among Kenyans, who see the killings as a betrayal of the nation’s democratic ideals.

Student journalist Allans Ademba, featured in the documentary, emerged as a symbol of courage. Footage shows him holding a Kenyan flag while trying to aid bleeding protesters, including one named Chege. “I feared for my life, that my parents would never see me again,” Allans later told the BBC. “But I also feared to let other people die when I could help.” His actions, including helping evacuate a man with a severe leg wound, highlight the bravery of ordinary citizens amid chaos.

Calls for Accountability

The documentary has intensified demands for justice. Opposition leaders, including Wiper leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, have called for the prosecution of senior security officials, including Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei. Embakasi MP Babu Owino vowed to pursue private prosecution against the officer who killed Rex Kanyike, urging witnesses to come forward. Human rights groups, such as Vocal Africa, condemned the “unnecessary and excessive” use of force.

Despite a parliamentary order for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the deaths, no public report has been released, and no one has been held accountable. The KDF, in a statement to the BBC, claimed the IPOA had not requested an investigation into its personnel and emphasized its commitment to operating within its constitutional mandate. The police, meanwhile, deflected responsibility to the IPOA, stating they could not investigate themselves.

President William Ruto’s response at the time of the protests drew widespread criticism. On the evening of June 25, he praised security forces for defending “the nation’s sovereignty” against “organized criminals” who had “hijacked” the protests. His remarks, coupled with the deployment of the military, fueled perceptions of a government prioritizing control over dialogue.

A Nation at a Crossroads

The 2024 protests marked a pivotal moment in Kenya’s political landscape, with Gen Z leading a movement against economic hardship and governance failures. The violent crackdown, now laid bare by the BBC’s exposé, has galvanized calls for systemic reform. Social media campaigns, such as #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #TupataneThursday, continue to rally support for peaceful marches and fundraising for injured protesters.

For many, “Blood Parliament” is more than a documentary—it’s a mirror reflecting Kenya’s unresolved tensions. As one protester, Steve, told AFP, “The government does not care about us because they shot us with live bullets.” The film’s graphic imagery and testimonies have left an indelible mark, with Raburu’s words encapsulating the national mood: “The blood spilled on those streets isn’t just history. It’s a living wound, a call to conscience for every Kenyan.”

As Kenya grapples with this tragedy, the question remains: will the pursuit of justice prevail, or will the sacrifices of its youth become another chapter in a cycle of impunity? The nation watches, mourns, and waits.