A coalition of human rights organisations has condemned the arrest of four Kenyan filmmakers connected to the controversial Blood Parliament documentary, terming the incident a blatant attack on media freedom and an affront to democratic values.
In a joint statement released on Saturday, May 3, 2025, the Civic Freedoms Forum (CFF)—an alliance of twelve human rights organizations—criticized the Friday night arrest of Nicholas Gichuki, Brian Adagala, Mark Denver Karubiu, and Chris Wamae, who were picked up from their Karen-based studio under unclear circumstances.
The four were released on free bond on Saturday morning, with their detention sparking outrage both locally and internationally.
The lobbyists argued that the arrests were politically motivated and intended to silence critical voices following the airing of Blood Parliament, a documentary that had triggered sharp political backlash.
The group expressed concern that the incident further reflects an alarming trend of state repression targeting journalists and filmmakers.
“The controversial parliamentary expose Blood Parliament has sparked significant political backlash since its initial airing. Their arrest, believed to be politically motivated, raises grave concerns about the increasing weaponisation of law enforcement against independent journalism and documentary filmmaking,” CFF said.
Particularly troubling to the coalition was the timing of the arrests—just hours before World Press Freedom Day.
“That this blatant act of intimidation occurred on the eve of World Press Freedom Day is not just ironic; it is a deliberate affront to the values enshrined in our Constitution and the international conventions Kenya has ratified,” the statement read.
The coalition further argued that the arrests constitute a breach of Articles 33 and 34 of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and media independence, asserting that the actions violated Kenya’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“This crackdown is not just about four individuals—it is a warning to all journalists, filmmakers, and truth-tellers in Kenya. We cannot, and must not, allow fear to take the place of facts, or repression to replace reporting,” the statement read.
CFF has called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to publicly disclose the legal basis for the arrests and urged the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and Parliament’s Committee on Media and ICT to initiate urgent inquiries.
The Forum also appealed to civil society, legal professionals, and the international community to speak out in defence of the arrested filmmakers and the broader media community in Kenya.
“Let this World Press Freedom Day not be marked by silence, but by renewed resolve,” the statement concluded.
Signatories to the statement included ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Transparency International Kenya, Defenders Coalition, and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), among others.
“Let this World Press Freedom Day not be marked by silence, but by renewed resolve,” the statement concluded.
Arrest questioned
Speaking on Saturday, May 3, 2025, after their release, the group’s lawyer, Ian Mutiso, confirmed that the four were being investigated for allegedly publishing false information.
“From the perusal of the OB (Occurrence Book), it seems that they are likely going to be charged with publication of false information. We are yet to know the particulars of these charges,” Mutiso said.
He revealed that the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) would seek full disclosure on the legal grounds of the arrest and the nature of the ongoing investigation.
According to Mutiso, no court orders had been presented for the raid on the filmmakers’ office or the seizure of their equipment, including cameras and hard drives, a move he described as unlawful.
“At this particular juncture, it is very concerning. I did not even get to have a copy of the miscellaneous application on why their offices were raided. Ideally, the DCI should make a miscellaneous application in court to obtain such items, which hasn’t been done,” Mutiso said.
He further condemned the fact that the filmmakers’ statements were taken in the absence of legal counsel, calling it a violation of their constitutional rights.
“This is a society where we cannot allow police to act unjustifiably. Statements were taken without any advocates present — that is abuse of their rights,” he added.