Police Reforms WG Statement on Arrest of Journalists Over BBC Blood Parliament Documentary

The Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya (PRWG-Kenya) condemns the arrest of four independent film producers: Nicholas Gichuki, Brian Adagala, Mark Karubiu, and Chris Wamae, as well as the seizure of their equipment. While the four film producers have since been released on free bond, we call on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to drop the charges of "false publication" against the four and release their equipment to them.

Furthermore, we call on the National Police Services to concentrate its vast investigative resources on finding and charging the Kenya Defence Services and Police officers identified in the BBC Blood Parliament documentary as suspected to have killed Ericsson Mutisya, David Chege, Eric Shieni, and the other 60 protesters. This is where the public interest lies.

That this crackdown occurred on the eve of World Press Freedom Day is shocking. The arrests violate the constitutionally protected right to expression (Article 33) and freedom of the media (Article 34), as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Article 9), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This crackdown also contradicts the commitment given by the Attorney General on behalf of the Government to uphold human rights during the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva barely two days ago on May 1.

We urge the Government of Kenya to understand that with a failing economy, a burdensome taxing regime, and a failed health sector, the ongoing scapegoating of critics and suppression of fundamental freedoms only serves to widen public distrust and disillusionment.

The Police Reforms Working Group calls upon all citizens, civil society, media agencies, and partners to stand in solidarity with independent filmmakers, creatives, and journalists speaking truth to power and upholding the principles of democracy, justice, and accountability.