In a nation where political drama often rivals the most gripping soap operas, Kenya’s Parliament has once again stolen the spotlight—but this time, the consequences are far from scripted.
A recent BBC documentary dubbed”Blood Parliament”, revisits the harrowing events of 25 June 2024, when protesters stormed Parliament in a desperate bid to halt a controversial tax bill.
“Every time we take to the streets in a peaceful demonstration, this can’t be put down. Their goal was clear: to occupy Parliament,” one demonstrator said.
The protests, sparked by the government’s decision to impose a 16% tax on essentials like bread and sanitary pads, led to tragic consequences. At least five protesters were shot dead by police, and parts of the Parliament building were set ablaze.
With the sounds of guns fading, at least two young Kenyans had been felled by bullets on Parliament Road David Chege, 37, and Erickson Mutisya, 25.
Asoft-spoken Chege, a software engineer, was clad in a purple hoodie wearing a cap, while the second casualty, Mutisya, was wearing a white T-shirt. The two died lying next to each other.
According to the documentary, video analysis identified a plainclothes officer, John Kaboi, from Central Police Station, as the one who pulled the trigger that killed the duo. Even after firing, Kaboi reportedly told colleagues to continue pushing.
“You could hear the police say, ‘kill them,’ as they pushed the demonstrators,” said activist Hanifa Adan. “Why is a police force mandated to protect the citizens turned ruthless and brutal?”
Multiple sources indicate he is a plainclothes officer based at Central Police Station. Even after the shooting, he could be heard telling his colleagues to push.
The BBC’s coverage provides a chilling glimpse into the chaos that unfolded.
Footage from the documentary shows protesters clashing with police, with bodies lying in pools of blood on the streets. One protester, Davis Tafari, was quoted saying, “We want to shut down parliament and every MP should go down and resign.” The scenes are a stark reminder of the deepening political and social unrest in the country.
Inside Parliament, the atmosphere was equally charged. Lawmakers traded blows, and the deputy speaker had water thrown on her during a chaotic session that approved changes to a tough new security bill.
Opposition MPs shouted and ripped up copies of the bill, warning that Kenya was becoming a “police state.” Four lawmakers were assaulted, and another two engaged in a fistfight. The government defended the bill, citing the need for more powers to combat militant Islamists threatening Kenya’s security.
The BBC’s documentary sheds light on the escalating tensions between the government and the public. The heavy-handed response to protests and the approval of controversial legislation have raised concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms and human rights in Kenya.
Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya, blamed police for shooting at unarmed demonstrators.
“The protesters were walking out of Parliament when the shooting started. He was aiming to kill as a message to them. Erick was the unfortunate one,” said Odhiambo.
As bodies were carried toward the Parliament gates, some MPs attempted to console the grieving demonstrators.
“The gentlemen were fighting for their lives. I jumped across the gate to see if I could provide help, but the guy had lost the battle,” Owino said.
More than 23 counties experienced demonstrations, shops were looted, buildings were touched, and an estimated 30 people were killed. An account of impunity, brutality, and blood.
It has been ten months since thousands of young Kenyans marched toward the National Assembly, determined to stop the passage of the 2024 Finance Bill.
Bonface Mwangi, an activist, said people were in pain and the government and MPs were not listening.
“In 2024, the government introduces another finance bill, taxing commodities so people could not afford them anymore,” said Mwangi, sentiment shared by Adan.
“Every year billions of shillings are lost in corruption. No one is being held to account, and the difference is how the common citizen is living versus the political class’s growing wealth,” she added.
All day, police clashed with hundreds of protesters in Nairobi against the proposed taxes.
“For the first time, it was the Kenyan people, the lower class, against the ruling class. We had tried twice and got energized to go on with one aim: to occupy Parliament,” said Mwangi.
As the youth approached the building, they met escalating force—tear gas, truncheons, rubber bullets—and then, live gunfire.
The proponent had 195 votes, while those against had 106. The Finance Bill was voted in, as opposition MPs stormed out. At 2:20 p.m., the demonstrators broke through. The MPs left Parliament, some pursued by demonstrators. Others destroyed an abandoned police truck, and the rest climbed the fences, breaking them loose. They didn’t make it inside, as police forces arrived to push them away.
“I was fully supporting the demonstration. We were not happy in Parliament. There was a lot of lobbying by the executive and MPs who were in support of the bill,” said Babu Owino, Embakasi East MP.
By 2:20 p.m., after hours of protest, the demonstrators breached Parliament’s outer defenses. Inside, chaos reigned. Lawmakers scrambled for safety.
“They would move, squat, and run,” said a demonstrator, describing how overwhelmed guards attempted to push back the human tide.
“The MPs were scared; some were running through the tunnel, some getting out through ambulances trying to escape,” recounted Babu Owino, MP for Embakasi East. Outside, police opened fire on the surging crowd.
Amid the smoke and screams, Erick Shieni, 27, a University of Nairobi finance student, recognized by his yellow gloves, was among the youth who had invaded Parliament. On his way out, he was hit by a bullet.
Eyewitnesses described how police officers with different uniforms and equipment—including white shoulder patches linked to senior Kenya Army officers—hid their faces before shooting widely into the crowds.
As bodies were carried toward the Parliament gates, some MPs attempted to console the grieving demonstrators.
“The gentlemen were fighting for their lives. I jumped across the gate to see if I could provide help, but the guy had lost the battle,” Owino said.
President Ruto addressed the nation that evening, blaming “organized criminals” for infiltrating otherwise legitimate protests.
“Today, an otherwise legitimate expression of the fundamental rights and freedoms of assembly was infiltrated and hijacked by a group of organized criminals,” he said.
Though the President expressed regret for the deaths, he thanked the security forces and squarely blamed those he called organized criminals.
Despite overwhelming evidence gathered by investigations from the BBC Eye—including thousands of photos and videos—no official accountability has been realized. IPOA (Independent Policing Oversight Authority) investigations drag on without forwarding any findings related to military personnel involvement.
Weeks later, the president ceded to pressure and rescinded his hardliner stance.
“I run a government, but I also lead people who have now spoken. I conceded, and I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill. That becomes our collective position,” Ruto later announced.
But Adan said the withdrawal came too late for the protestors.
“This is something that this country has never experienced,” said Adan.
