Filmmakers in BBC's 'Blood Parliament' case freed on Sh40,000 bail
The four Nicholas Gichuki, Brian Adagala, Markdenver Karubiu, and Christopher Wamae were each released on a cash bail of Sh10,000.
A Nairobi court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to four filmmakers linked to the production of the investigative documentary Blood Parliament, following their arrest last week.
The four Nicholas Gichuki, Brian Adagala, Markdenver Karubiu, and Christopher Wamae were each released on a cash bail of Sh10,000.
They had been detained and their electronic devices confiscated before being released on a free bond.
The court ordered that the filmmakers be presented by their lawyers at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters on May 21, 2025, for the continuation of investigations.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), through lawyer Senator Dan Maanzo, criticised the arrest, saying it was done without offering any explanation and that the filmmakers were forced to sign a document acknowledging the seizure of their equipment and documents.
While applying for the bail in court, the defence team told the court that the four had not been informed of the reasons behind their arrest or what the investigations were about.
According to them, they only found out on May 6 through a filed application that the seizure of their items was allegedly connected to the Cybercrime Act and the making of the documentary Blood Parliament.
"This is a clear infringement on the constitutional rights of the applicants," said Maanzo.
He also argued that the authorities failed to follow the correct legal procedures during the arrest and confiscation.
Maanzo raised concerns about the continued holding of the filmmakers' devices, saying it lacked proper justification and posed serious legal and ethical issues.
The legal team had asked the court to not only grant anticipatory bail but also to reject the DCI's request seeking to validate the seizure of the electronic equipment.
The case is set to be mentioned again on May 28.