Gen Z Protests: BBC exposé accuses KDF of firing on protesters

A new BBC exposé has highlighted the shootings of three demonstrators during the Kenya Finance Bill 2024 protest in Nairobi on June 25th.

BBC Africa Eye, an investigative wing of the British broadcaster, claimed in a video piece that a Kenya Defence Forces officer was involved in the killing of a protester during the protests.

An article that ran alongside the piece said KDF responded to allegations raised in the exposé.

In its official response, KDF clarified that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has not made any inquiries, provided any information, or requested any investigation into the involvement of KDF personnel in the operations.

"IPOA has so far not forwarded any enquiries, information, or requests to investigate any KDF personnel involved in the operations. KDF remains fully committed to upholding the rule of law and continues to operate strictly within the mandate granted by the Constitution," read the statement.

The BBC documentary, "Blood Parliament," provides an in-depth look into the events of June 25, when Parliament was breached amid the Gen Z protests.

The documentary features prominent activists such as Hanifa Adan, Boniface Mwangi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, and student journalist Allans Odemba.

It uncovers the shootings that took place during the Parliament breach.

The BBC detailed the technology employed to identify security personnel involved in the killings, utilizing tools like camera metadata, livestream timestamps, and visible Republic clocks in the footage.

The documentary also names the victims who were shot during the incident.

The documentary reveals that protests outside Parliament intensified after demonstrators discovered that the Finance Bill 2024 had been passed just after 2 pm.

Among those shot outside Parliament's gate were David Chege and Erickson Mutisya.

Journalist Allans Odemba reported that Chege was shot next to him. Hanifa Adan also highlighted a video in which a plainclothes police officer can be heard shouting “uaa!”—Swahili for “kill.” Moments later, another officer knelt, gunshots rang out, and seven protesters fell.

David Chege, a 39-year-old software engineer and Sunday school teacher, along with Erickson Mutisya, a 25-year-old butcher, succumbed to their gunshot wounds.

The BBC analyzed over 5,000 photos and videos taken on the ground that day, combining them with 3D reconstruction technology to map the shootings.

In footage shown by the BBC, police officers advancing toward Parliament Road were seen kneeling and opening fire on protesters. Shortly after, a protester, later identified as Erickson, collapsed.

The BBC reports that the two protesters were shot following instructions from a plainclothes officer, who directed uniformed officers to open fire.

After Erickson was shot, protesters carried his body outside Parliament’s gates, where several opposition MPs had gathered after walking out in response to the bill’s passage.

Inside Parliament, chaos erupted as protesters who had breached the premises attempted to flee while police opened fire.

The BBC identified protester Eric Shieni, who was caught in the turmoil while trying to escape. The documentary also pinpointed the officer who shot Shieni as a member of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), based on a badge visible on his uniform. The officer was dressed in a white shoulder patch, a matte green helmet, tan boots, and was carrying a solid-stock rifle.