Petition launched for justice in bloody June 2024 Parliament shootings

Amnesty International Kenya has urged Kenyans to push for a public investigation into the June 2024 Parliament shootings, following the airing of a BBC documentary that exposed new evidence about the deadly protests.

The organisation launched a petition on Monday demanding an official inquiry only hours after the BBC broadcast the documentary titled Bloody Parliament, which has sparked widespread public outcry.

Executive Director Irungu Houghton took to social media to encourage Kenyans to watch the documentary and back the call for justice by signing the petition on Amnesty International Kenya’s website.

He emphasized the need for independent thinking, urging people not to be misled by online debates but to focus on the facts.

"Despite the distraction caused by #BBCForChaos, the reality is that lives were lost and families were shattered. Only the DCI, ODPP, and IPOA can give them justice. Watch #BloodParliament and sign the petition calling for a public inquiry on the #OccupyParliament protests," Amnesty stated.

On its website, Amnesty International Kenya described the deep impact of the protests, mentioning not only the deaths but also the enforced disappearance of at least 89 individuals.

The BBC’s documentary added weight to the calls for accountability by including interviews with prominent Kenyans who participated in the protests and analyzing thousands of images and video footage.

A major revelation in the documentary was the identification of a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer and a National Police Service (NPS) officer among those who allegedly opened fire on peaceful protestors.

This finding has intensified concerns about the use of excessive force during the protests.

Since the documentary aired on Sunday night, both the KDF and the NPS have remained silent, failing to issue any public statement.

This silence has led to even more questions from the public and human rights groups.

Amnesty Kenya explained that the evidence presented in the BBC documentary matched findings from joint investigations carried out alongside the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, and Medics for Kenya.

These groups had been documenting the events surrounding the June 25, 2024, protests.

According to their findings, security officers fired live bullets at unarmed protestors gathered outside Parliament, resulting in at least six confirmed deaths.

Three of these killings were closely examined in the BBC documentary, increasing the demand for those responsible to be held accountable.

The investigations further detailed widespread use of excessive force against protestors, bystanders, and medical workers.

Reports stated that tear gas, water cannons, and batons were used without care, leading to hundreds of injuries across Nairobi.

Amnesty Kenya also raised alarm over the abduction of 89 individuals during the protests.

Many of these people have still not been found, months after the demonstrations ended, adding another dark chapter to the tragedy.

In a strong appeal to the public, Amnesty Kenya concluded its petition by asking Kenyans to unite in demanding accountability.

"Sign this petition to urge the Government of Kenya to establish a Commission of Inquiry that will allow victims and other Kenyans to present evidence and investigate the June 25, 2024, police violence," said the rights group.