Homa Bay Town MP, Peter Kaluma, has urged the Kenyan government to ban the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) from operating in the country after it aired a shocking exposé on Sunday, April 27.
In a statement shared on social media on Monday, the ODM legislator criticized the documentary titled Blood Parliament, accusing it of trying to provoke anger among Kenyans.
Kaluma argued that because the media plays a powerful role in influencing public conversations and democracy, the BBC’s license in Kenya should be revoked.
According to him, the documentary was biased, misleading, and carelessly produced.
“Ban the BBC from Kenya. The media’s role in democracy is too vital to be handled irresponsibly. Media can either strengthen a democracy or destroy a nation that is otherwise stable.
We must not forget that the Rwandan genocide was fueled by irresponsible media,” Kaluma posted.
“The BBC’s Blood Parliament documentary is twisted, one-sided, and reckless. It appears to have been produced with the aim of creating chaos in Kenya. The relevant government authorities must urgently move to revoke the BBC’s license.”
Kaluma’s call for action is similar to events witnessed in 2018 when the government took three major TV stations and several radio stations off air after the mock swearing-in of ODM leader Raila Odinga, preventing Kenyans from witnessing the event live.
The BBC documentary, which details the deadly anti-finance bill protests that took place on June 25 — protests that left over 60 people dead — has stirred intense emotions across the country since it was released.
The exposé included interviews with several prominent figures such as well-known activist Boniface Mwangi, student journalist Hanifa Adan, frontline protest reporter Allan Ademba, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Through the analysis of over 5,000 images from the protests, the documentary alleged that soldiers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) were responsible for the shooting deaths of at least three protesters.
Public reactions to the documentary have been deeply divided. Many young Kenyans, especially those from the Gen Z generation who actively participated in the protests, expressed shock and heartbreak after watching it.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) shared, “The BBC documentary really touched me deeply. I am so disappointed in this government. It’s clear they are not standing with the people.”
Another user criticized the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is tasked with investigating police misconduct.
“The fact that the BBC had to expose this while IPOA remained silent is proof that IPOA is useless.
Kenyans need to question whether we even need IPOA anymore; it’s just wasting taxpayer money,” the user commented.
Prominent lawyer Miguna Miguna also weighed in, recalling that he had previously reported on hundreds of innocent civilians allegedly killed and cremated at Kahawa Barracks in Githurai in June 2024.
Miguna emphasized the need for an independent investigation and a judicial inquiry into the alleged brutalities committed by the police, military, National Intelligence Service (NIS), and Kenya Forest Service between 2024 and 2025. “We must demand accountability and justice for the victims,” he said.
Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa also reacted emotionally, stating, “Watching this documentary, it truly hurts. It hurts so much!”
However, not everyone supported the documentary. Some politicians and bloggers aligned with the government moved quickly to discredit it.
While some critics questioned the credibility of the individuals interviewed in the documentary, others argued that such reports distract the country from the progress Kenya has made since the Gen Z protests.
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