Kenya extends investigation into filmmakers

Chris Wamae (2nd L), Nicholas Wambugu Gichuki (C), Brian Adagala (2nd R) and Mark Karubiu (R) adress the press with their lawyer Ian Mutiso (L) outside the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on May 28, 2025. [AFP]

A Kenyan court on Wednesday gave prosecutors more time to investigate four filmmakers arrested in the wake of a BBC documentary about police killings of protesters.

The four independent filmmakers -- Nicholas Wambugu Gichuki, Brian Adagala, Mark Karubiu, and Chris Wamae -- were arrested on May 2 in the capital, Nairobi and charged with "publishing false information".

Activists linked the detentions to a BBC documentary about security service killings during anti-government protests last year, despite the BBC saying none of the men was involved in the film, "Blood Parliament".

In court on Wednesday, police were given until June 16 to make further investigations, but were also barred from re-arresting or charging the filmmakers until that time.

Two of the quartet told local media earlier this month that their laptops, hard drives and phones had been taken by police.

One said he was asked if he had "done anything that speaks against the government?"

At least 60 people were killed during weeks of protests that began in June over tax rises in a finance bill from the government of President William Ruto.

Dozens were later abducted and detained illegally, rights groups say, with many still missing.

"We call on the National Police Services to concentrate its vast investigative resources on finding and charging the Kenyan Defence Services and police officers identified in the BBC Blood Parliament documentary," said the Police Reforms Working Group, a coalition of Kenyan and international rights groups, after the initial arrest.

"This is where the public interest lies," it said.