WARNING: This article contains details some readers may find distressing.
A searing new BBC documentary, Blood Parliament, has exposed disturbing evidence of state-sanctioned violence during Kenya’s Gen Z-led protests, shaking the foundations of the East African nation’s democratic institutions.
The hour-long investigative piece reveals how Kenyan security forces — including both the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) — allegedly committed unlawful killings, deployed unauthorized military force, and engaged in a coordinated cover-up effort that has left families devastated and a nation demanding justice.
Thousands across Kenya and beyond are now asking: how could this happen in a country often praised as one of Africa’s most stable democracies?
“Shoot to Kill”: The Order That Shattered Lives
Central to Blood Parliament is a chilling moment captured on camera: Officer John Kaboi, a senior police official, is seen instructing his unit to “shoot to kill” outside Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.
Within minutes, two young protesters — David Chege, 22, and Erickson Mutisya, 21 — lay dead on the blood-stained tarmac.
“He just pointed, and they fired,” an eyewitness told BBC reporters, visibly trembling. “There was no warning, no reason. Just death.”
The footage, verified through BBC’s investigative team in Nairobi, shows Kaboi gesturing aggressively as gunshots ring out. Independent pathologists later confirmed that both victims died from gunshot wounds to the chest at close range.
The National Police Service did not respond directly to BBC’s request for comment regarding Officer Kaboi’s actions.
Kenya Defence Forces: Unlawful Deployment?
The documentary also raises serious constitutional questions about the KDF’s involvement in civilian protests.
Under Kenya’s Constitution, the military can only be deployed domestically with Parliamentary approval — an approval that was not sought or granted. Yet, video evidence and eyewitness testimonies place KDF soldiers at the heart of protest zones, armed and engaging demonstrators.
One particularly harrowing account comes from Eric Shieni, a 19-year-old protester allegedly shot by a soldier.
“I thought the military protects us from outside threats, not us,” said Shieni’s sister, Miriam, who spoke to BBC News at their family home in Eldoret. “Now, my brother cannot walk.”
The BBC obtained hospital records showing Shieni suffered a shattered femur, consistent with injuries from high-velocity ammunition typically used by the military.
Attacks on Democratic Institutions
As tensions escalated, critical national infrastructure came under attack.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed that the National Assembly, Supreme Court, and City Hall suffered deliberate damage. However, conflicting narratives have since emerged about who was responsible.
IPOA’s Chairperson Anne Makori stated:
“Evidence suggests some attacks may have been staged to justify the overwhelming force used against protesters.”
CCTV footage reviewed by BBC appeared to show plain-clothed individuals breaching security perimeters minutes before armed units moved in aggressively.
Survivors Share Their Stories
The emotional toll of the crackdown cannot be overstated.
At a makeshift memorial in Uhuru Park, BBC met survivors struggling to come to terms with the horror they witnessed.
Jane Wambui, 24, a university student, described the terror:
“I haven’t slept since that day. Every time I close my eyes, I see David and Erickson falling. I hear the gunshots.”
Tears streamed down her face as she recounted how she narrowly escaped injury when an officer fired tear gas directly at her face while she was attempting to assist an injured friend.
“No one should die for wanting a better future,” she whispered.
A Deafening Silence from the Government
Despite the damning evidence, the Kenyan government has remained largely silent.
The National Police Service issued a brief statement deferring responsibility to IPOA, claiming it “cannot investigate itself.” Meanwhile, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale acknowledged KDF deployment but denied accusations of excessive force.
When approached by BBC, the Office of the President declined to comment, citing “ongoing internal reviews.”
Efforts to seek comment from Chief of Defence Forces Charles Muriu Kahariri were unsuccessful.
A senior government official speaking anonymously said:
“The situation got out of hand. There were fears of a coup-like scenario.”
Such claims, uncorroborated, have been met with deep skepticism among protesters and civil society groups.
#RutoMustGo and the Rising Tide of Anger
Public outrage has exploded across social media platforms.
The hashtag #RutoMustGo trended globally, fueled by images of bloodied protesters and grieving families. Influencers, human rights activists, and even some opposition politicians have called for President William Ruto’s resignation.
Lawyer and activist Muthoni Wanyeki told BBC News:
“The government’s first responsibility is to protect life. This failure is not just tragic — it’s criminal.”
Protesters have outlined three key demands:
- Immediate prosecution of all officers involved in unlawful killings.
- Resignation of Defence CS Aden Duale and Police IG Japhet Koome.
- Independent international inquiry into the Gen Z protest crackdown.
A Change.org petition demanding an ICC (International Criminal Court) investigation had garnered over 1 million signatures at the time of publishing.
International Outcry
The revelations have drawn international condemnation.
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement urging Kenyan authorities to ensure “thorough, impartial and independent investigations.”
Amnesty International’s East Africa Director, Tigere Chagutah, told BBC:
“This is not just a Kenyan crisis. It’s a human rights crisis.”
The U.S. State Department expressed “grave concern,” while the European Union called for “respect for democratic freedoms.”
IPOA Faces Challenges
Despite IPOA’s mandate to investigate police misconduct, insiders describe an uphill battle.
An IPOA investigator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“We have limited access to evidence. Many officers refuse to cooperate. Some witnesses are too afraid to speak.”
The same source revealed that key evidence, including security camera footage from Parliament and Supreme Court grounds, had gone missing.
“There’s a deliberate attempt to cover this up,” they said.
Will Kenya Heal?
Experts say Kenya faces a critical juncture.
Dr. Godfrey Musila, a constitutional law expert, told BBC:
“Trust in state institutions has been shattered. If this isn’t addressed urgently and transparently, it will haunt the country for generations.”
Public opinion polls conducted by InfoTrak suggest that over 68% of Kenyans support mass action if justice is not served.
Civil society groups are planning further demonstrations, even as fears of fresh violence loom.
Conclusion: A Nation at a Crossroads
As Blood Parliament circulates globally, the world is watching Kenya closely.
The images are raw. The pain is palpable. But the hope — a slim, flickering hope — remains that justice, transparency, and healing are still possible.
For families like those of David Chege and Erickson Mutisya, nothing will bring back their sons. But perhaps accountability can prevent others from experiencing the same heartbreak.
As one mother said while clutching her late son’s blood-stained t-shirt:
“We protest because we love this country. We want it to be better. Not to bury our children.”
Kenya now faces a choice: confront its bloody past — or risk repeating it.
