Four Kenyan filmmakers who were recently apprehended over their alleged involvement in the ‘Blood Parliament’ documentary by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) have been summoned to appear at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Kiambu Road.
Activist Boniface Mwangi revealed the latest development through his X account on Tuesday, May 6, calling for Kenyans to escort Nicholas Wambugu, Brian Adagala, Chris Wamae and Markdenver Karubiu in solidarity.
“The four filmmakers who were arrested on Friday, their equipment illegally confiscated, and forced to give their laptops and phone passwords by DCI, have been summoned to DCI headquarters today at 2pm. Join us to escort them in solidarity. Filmmaking isn’t a crime,” stated Mwangi.
Fellow activist Hussein Khalid, in a phone call with Kenyans.co.ke, confirmed the news, adding that fellow activists Hanifa Adan and Shakira Wafula, as well as officials from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), would be present.
Khalid disclosed that the cause for the summons were unknown, adding that the equipment of the four filmmakers remained confiscated and in the hands of the authorities.
The four filmmakers were arrested on Friday, May 2, in dubious circumstances after a raid on their studios in Karen by the police before spending the night in Pangani and Muthaiga Police Stations.
News of their arrest was revealed by their business partners, and this was further corroborated by their lawyer Ian Mutiso, who disclosed their whereabouts in the two police stations.
Reports that emerged indicated that upon their arrest, the four were not charged, and their presence under police custody remained unclear.
In the aftermath of their arrests, a multitude of netizens, including politicians expressed their displeasure and frustration at the nabbings, with many believing their alleged involvement in the damning exposé was the sole reason behind their detainment.
However, after much furore and spending a night in the police cells, the four were released on Saturday on a free bond in a development confirmed by their lawyer Ian Mutiso.
Mutiso disclosed that the four were charged with false publication in relation to the BBC documentary and were made to give statements without legal representation.
Narrating their ordeal after their release to investigative journalist John-Allan Namu, one of the victims, Nick Wambugu, recalled paying a routine visit to Mark Denver’s office at around 3pm.
According to Wambugu, upon arrival at Denver's office, they engaged in a conversation before reviewing content and other footage they recorded in previous projects.
After about 30 to 45 minutes, the duo heard a knock at the door, much to their surprise. Upon opening the door, the duo were stunned to see three police officers standing outside, who went on to identify themselves as detectives from the DCI headquarters.
The officers informed them of their arrests before confiscating their equipment and later bundling them into their vehicles, driving them to DCI headquarters. Wambugu revealed that they spent about four hours at the DCI offices before being taken to Pangani and Muthaiga police stations.
The BBC documentary exposed the roles of the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces in some of the killings witnessed during the Gen Z-led protests of June 25, 2024.
In some of the clips shown, two members of the NPS and KDF were seen to be intentionally shooting at the peaceful protestors, leading to their demise.
BBC, in a statement, later confirmed that the four filmmakers were not involved in the project, further raising questions about the motives of the police in arresting the four filmmakers.
