Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has thrown his weight behind the BBC documentary Blood Parliament, which exposed the killing of protesters during last year’s anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
Speaking on a local media station on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Gakuya described the documentary as a crucial step toward uncovering the truth about the protests that took place on June 25, 2024, resulting in numerous fatalities and hundreds of injuries.
“What I want to state is that there was a big gap in our intelligence reports. It was better that we know the truth, and when the truth is well known, the truth can set us free,” Gakuya said.
Vindication
The MP recalled that in the aftermath of the protests, allegations surfaced claiming some senior leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his associates, were involved in inciting the demonstrations.
He mentioned that these accusations pressured several leaders, including himself, to surrender their phones for investigation.
“Remember, there were allegations that Gachagua and his team were involved, and we were forced to surrender our phones for being suspected that we were part of that particular saga,” he stated.
Gakuya insisted that uncovering the complete truth about the violent crackdown on protesters is vital to clearing the names of those wrongfully accused of instigating the unrest.
He emphasised that the release of the documentary should be viewed as an important form of justification that ought to be acknowledged, not suppressed.
“When a justification comes, it’s never too late. This particular dossier is very important to me, and it should not take a route of being held back, because when you lock it out, then you are locking out justice. We cannot keep poking names of some senior members of this country, just hinting them on a saga that they were never involved in,” he asserted.
“So that particular justification tells us exactly what happened. To me, it’s appropriate and the timing is right,” he added.
Right to Protest
The lawmaker criticized heavy-handed tactics used against youth protesters, condemning what he described as attempts to silence Kenya’s youth through intimidation and violence.
“You cannot stop Gen Z from coming out again. We have tried to silence them by way of judicial killing, by way of abducting them, and many other actions that we have been taking against them, just to instil fear. But that is not the way to go,” Gakuya declared.
He stressed that Kenya is a democratic country, where citizens, especially the youth, have the constitutional right to express their opinions when they believe the nation is moving in the wrong direction.
“Kenya is a democratic country, and democracy cannot be seen killed. We should see democracy thrilling but not diminishing it. Gen Z have their right, and let them speak out where they feel that the country is going wrong because they are the owners of this country,” he stated.
The MP also warned that if the upcoming finance bill contains provisions that burden Kenyans, citizens will inevitably protest again.
“Nothing will stop Kenyans from making noise when the time comes,” he cautioned.