Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga has reprimanded leaders criticising the recent exposé by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which documented the senseless killing of youthful protesters at the height of the anti-tax protests in 2024.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Omanga indicated that the documentary accurately depicted what happens when citizens’ voices are ignored.
“We can build a better country by learning from our history and past mistakes and taking meaningful corrective action,” Omanga observed.
Blood Parliament
“The BBC documentary dubbed #BloodParliament on the unfortunate events of 25th June 2024 at Parliament of Kenya is a sobering reminder of what can happen when citizens’ voices are ignored.”
She equally challenged a section of leaders calling for banning the media house’s operations in Kenya to embrace a culture of tolerance and inclusivity.
“Rather than directing anger at journalists for doing their job, we should foster a culture of inclusive and participatory leadership to address critical national issues and prevent such occurrences in the future,” Omanga noted.
Soon after the release of the documentary, which pieced together the events leading up to and which transpired when protesters stormed parliament on June 25, 2024, leaders expressed mixed reactions, with a section calling for punitive measures on the BBC.
Censorship
“Ban BBC Africa in Kenya. The role played by the media in any democracy is too important to be discharged irresponsibly. The media can build greater democracy or destroy an otherwise stable state,” Homa Bay Township MP Kaluma said on Monday, April 28, 2025.
“The documentary is twisted, partial, reckless, and intended to incite chaos in Kenya. The relevant agencies of the government of Kenya must act fast to withdraw the BBC license in Kenya,” he added.
However, he was countered in a quick rejoinder by popular lawyer Willis Otieno, who stated that Kaluma’s sentiments furthered tendencies of censorship whenever a report challenges the state.
“Opondo Kaluma, your tantrum against the BBC only exposes the shallow thinking that has crippled leadership in this country. Instead of engaging with evidence, you resort to medieval censorship tactics like a petty provincial chief,” Otieno said.
Adding: “A mind truly committed to justice seeks accountability, not bans. If facts terrify you this much, perhaps public office was always too heavy a burden for your intellect.”
Following the exposé, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) revealed that of the 60 deaths reported to its offices, it had completed investigations into 22 cases, 36 cases were under active investigations, and two of the cases were before courts.