'Embarrassing!' Kenyans react after MPs condemn 'Blood Parliament' documentary

Anti-Finance bill protestors demonstrate in Nairobi. July 2, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Parliament proceedings yesterday have sparked national debate after lawmakers condemned the BBC documentary Blood Parliament, which details the June 25, 2024 anti-tax protests that ended in bloodshed.

Mandera North MP Bashir Abdullahi has drawn public ire after appearing to downplay the deadly protests.

''People are killed all the time...we sympathise and move on," said Abdullahi while dismissing the documentary's impact. He later described the events as "tragic and shameful," claiming they posed a threat to parliamentary democracy.

Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie also hit out at the British broadcaster, accusing it of advancing foreign agendas. "The BBC is funded by British taxpayers. We must ask whether it is speaking as a mouthpiece of the government and the people of Britain or an attempt to arm-twist this country," remarked Kiarie.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna however held a different school of thought. In a post on X, he defended the documentary's accuracy.

''Speaking as someone present in Parliament on June 25, the events depicted in the 'Blood Parliament' documentary by BBC are not fabrications. They happened," he wrote, adding, "Those attempting to rewrite it will find it especially difficult because this particular piece of history is written in blood."

Sifuna called for truth and justice, urging lawmakers to confront the documentary's contents rather than silence it.

Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid termed the MPs attacks of the documentary embarrassing.

''It is embarrassing to have such individuals considered as leaders in this country,'' said Khalid.

"Six people were shot dead and three others beaten outside Parliament that day. These are issues that should be central to leadership."

The MPs were not spared by netizens either, as Kenyans expressed outrage, accusing them of deflecting from the real issues raised by the protests.

"Another pointless committee will just waste taxpayers' money instead of addressing why young people were protesting," one user, Alvin Kanindo, posted.

"The aftermath will only soothe MPs' consciences. The real cause of the protests hasn't even been acknowledged," wrote another, Acegambito.

''The country did not need to be reconciled. We had never been more united than that moment. The political class was threatened and closed ranks. We have not moved on...we remember,'' added Ngina Muyanga.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo backed the documentary and called for the creation of a select committee to investigate the killings, comparing the moment to Kenya's post-election violence in 2007.

"Let us set up a select committee to investigate the Anti-Finance Bill killings... you can't stop the media. The documentary has created more anger among young people...They have not moved on,'' she said.