The Kenyan government has issued a strong rebuke to the BBC following the release of its explosive documentary Blood Parliament, accusing the broadcaster of bias and failing to represent the government’s side of the story.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Tuesday, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura revealed that Kenya had formally written to the BBC headquarters in London, raising concerns over what it termed as misrepresentation of facts and lack of balanced reporting.

“Those who did the exposé should have been fair. They ought to have given the government a proper right of reply for balance,” Mwaura said.

Despite Mwaura’s claims, the BBC maintained that it had reached out to key institutions mentioned in the documentary, including the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), prior to publication.

Government Acknowledges Protest Victims, Condemns Violence

In a rare moment of accountability, Mwaura expressed the government’s condolences to families of victims killed or injured during the recent Gen Z-led anti-government protests, which were a central focus of the BBC investigation.

He stated that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had taken up the cases and was currently investigating the reported incidents, following a statement the authority issued on Monday.

“We send our condolences to the families affected. IPOA is following up on the matter as they have already confirmed,” Mwaura said.

BBC Cancels Screening Amid Public Pressure—But Kenyans Push Back

The government’s response comes in the wake of BBC Africa Eye's cancellation of a public screening of the documentary in Kenya, reportedly due to mounting pressure from authorities.

However, the move has sparked resistance among grassroots organizers. The Social Justice Travelling Theatre, in collaboration with the Kayole Community Justice Center, announced that a public screening would go ahead on Wednesday, April 30, in Kayole at 7 pm.

The Blood Parliament documentary has ignited a national conversation around police brutality, state accountability, and freedom of the press, as civil society groups continue to rally support for transparency and justice.