A Nairobi court has given Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga 21 days to decide whether to prosecute four filmmakers associated with the controversial BBC documentary 'Blood Parliament'

Milimani Principal Magistrate Wambo Otieno issued the directive on Wednesday after the prosecution confirmed that investigations were complete and requested additional time to allow the DPP to review the police file and make appropriate recommendations.

The filmmakers, Brian Adagala, MarkDenver Karubiu Muchira, and Christopher Wamae Wambugu, who appeared in court, were not charged after being informed that the DPP had not yet approved their prosecution.

The filmmakers are accused of conspiring to publish “false and defamatory” content via BBC platforms, following the release of a documentary detailing alleged police brutality during anti-tax protests in 2024.

Magistrate Otieno, however, ordered that the four remain on the Sh10,000 anticipatory bail previously granted by the court.

He also extended earlier court orders barring the arrest and detention of the four individuals until June 16, 2025.

Additionally, the court issued summonses to two DCI officers, Chief Inspector Nickson Kinywa and Mogah Wekesa Wechuli compelling them to explain why confiscated items belonging to the filmmakers have not yet been returned.

The court heard that officers had raided the filmmakers’ studios in Kahawa Sukari Avenue and Karen Village’s Art Studio, seizing a range of equipment, including four smartphones, two laptops, 33 hard drives, four flash drives, and other media tools.

In an affidavit filed by Chief Inspector Kinywa of the DCI’s Serious Crimes Unit, the state alleges the filmmakers conspired to disseminate “false and defamatory” material aimed at discrediting constitutional offices and inciting public unrest.

“The suspects herein have conspired with users of the YouTube Channel Accounts dubbed @BBCNewsSwahili and @BBCAfrica, and the domain bbc.com, to orchestrate the averred offences online,” Kinywa stated.

The DCI also submitted specific URLs in court, alleging the content was uploaded “without any lawful excuse” and claimed the videos caused “unwarranted reputational damage” to unnamed state organs while heightening security risks.

The four had been arrested on May 3, 2025, following the release of the 40-minute investigative documentary, which detailed how Kenyan security forces allegedly opened fire on anti-tax protesters outside Parliament in June 2024, resulting in several deaths and injuries.

The documentary Blood Parliament, aired via BBC News platforms, has sparked public debate for its portrayal of alleged police brutality, corruption, and suppression of civic freedoms in Kenya.

The case is set for mention on June 16, 2025, when the court expects an update from the DPP on whether charges will be levelled against the four.