Amnesty International has called for justice following revelations made in the BBC Africa Eye documentary ‘Blood Parliament’, which investigated the use of lethal force during the June 25, 2024, anti-Finance Bill protests.
Speaking during a press conference, Amnesty International’s Executive Director, Irungu Houghton confirmed that 65 people were killed, 89 disappeared, and thousands were arrested during the Gen Z-led demonstrations.
“The BBC “Blood Parliament” documentary release, corroborates our joint 25 September report that unnecessary and excessive lethal and less-lethal force was used against protesters on 25 June 2024.” said Houghton
Amnesty is demanding that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) submit a report to Parliament outlining their deployment, engagement protocols, and interventions during the protests. The lobby group is also calling on the National Police Service and KDF to publicly explain what actions they have taken following the damning documentary.
He also said ODPP should release statements of progress of prosecution of the perpetrators. He has condemnned the authorities for not taking action.
”Despite promises by the highest levels of government, state institutions mandated to uphold transparency, accountability, and the rule of law have not led to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for nearly one year since protesters were killed within the parliament premises.” he stated.
Additionally, Amnesty International has criticized the authorities for attempting to blocking the airing of the documentary.
Monday evening the authorities have blocked the screening of ‘Blood Parliament’ that exposed police officers who shot dead protestors at last year’s anti-tax demonstrations at Parliament buildings in Nairobi.
The documentary was set to screen at the Unseen Nairobi cinema on Monday evening, with a panel discussion.
The BBC documentary, singles out security officers believed to have instructed officers to kill, as well as those who pulled the trigger and killed three young men.
Investigators said they analysed more than 5,000 images to piece together the sequence of events on June 25 and the placement of both the victims and the shooters.
The statement comes after the Independent Policing Oversight Authority IPOA released a status update on its investigations into police conduct during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
The Authority said it launched investigations following clashes between police and demonstrators across the country in June 2024. IPOA said it had registered 60 deaths related to the protests.
Out of these, 22 investigations have been completed, 36 are ongoing, and two cases are before the courts.
The Authority provided a detailed breakdown of the incidents, which involved victims from regions including Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kakamega, Meru, Mombasa, Nyeri, and Nairobi.
