Digital Strategist and Head of Creative Economy at the Office of President William Ruto, Dennis Itumbi, has condemned the arrest of BBC's 'Blood Parliament' documentary filmmakers.

Itumbi, in a brief statement on Saturday morning, noted that the arrest of the four local filmmakers, whose only mistake was to make a film, was unnecessary. 

According to the State House official, there was an alternative story on the violence and political planning that orchestrated the storming of Bunge towers and invading the armoury at the Mosoleum.

While condemning their arrests, Itumbi called for the making of a new film to expose those who were behind the planning and storming of parliament on June 25, 2024.

"Arresting BBC journalists merely for making a film is unnecessary. There is an alternative story on the violence and political planning that unleashed the storming of the bunge and invading the armoury at the Mosoleum," Itumbi commented.

"Make an alternative documentary, tell the other story. BBC told their story. Let them be. Free the journalists. In my view," he added. 

The four filmmakers were arrested at their studio in Karen on the night of Friday, May 2, and booked in separate police stations. They include Nicholas Wambugu, Brian Adagala, MarkDenver Karubiu, and Chris Wamae.

Moments after their arrests, the police officers went ahead to confiscate their equipment and hard drives. Human Rights activist Hussein Khalid, while commenting on the matter, claimed the filmmakers were being held in Pangani and Muthaiga Police Stations.

However, the four were later released on a free bond but without their equipment after they were booked for alleged false publication.

While confirming their release, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) lawyer, Ian Mutiso, revealed that he had contacted the police and personally made a follow-up to ensure the four secured their freedom. 

"When I spoke to the DCIO for Pangani, he gave me some very concerning information stating that this matter was not under his purview. He informed me that this was being conducted from DCI headquarters, and this is something I will follow up on," Mutiso said.

The latest development comes hardly a week after BBC Africa aired the controversial documentary which identified members of the Kenyan security forces who shot protesters during the youth-led demonstrations in June last year.

The investigative piece, which was uploaded on Youtube on Sunday, April 27, analysed more than 5,000 footage of the demonstrations involving the police officers and officials from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

BBC traced three of the killings on a 3D reconstruction of the country's Parliament, unveiling the real faces of the killers of the Gen Z protesters who were shot dead outside the Parliament buildings. By Timothy Cerullo, Kenyans.co.ke

The United States Government has cancelled two contracts linked to Kenya, with a combined value of more than Ksh43 million. This move is part of a broader effort by U.S. federal agencies to reduce what they are calling “wasteful” spending.

In a statement released by the Department of Government Agency (DOGE) on Friday, 2 May, the agencies explained that they are reviewing and cancelling contracts they consider unnecessary with the aim of saving public money and improving government efficiency. 

DOGE is an initiative launched during the second Trump administration, aimed at reducing federal spending and modernising government operations. It was formalised through an executive order on January 20, 2025.

According to a recent contract update, federal agencies have cancelled a total of 401 contracts over the past two days.

These contracts had a total ceiling value of Ksh 273 billion ($2.1 billion), and the cancellations are expected to result in savings of around Ksh 79.7 billion ($613 million).

Among the cancelled agreements are two contracts involving Kenya. One was a Ksh 35.9 million ($276,000) contract from the U.S. Treasury Department for a Kenya programme coordinator. 

The other was worth Ksh 29.6 million ($228,000), also from the Treasury, for Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, and Tanzania cruiser vehicles.

The update does not provide details on how the cancellation of these contracts will affect programmes or individuals in Kenya but simply lists them as examples of spending cuts.

Other cancelled contracts include a Ksh 3.1 million ($24,000) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contract for two-day training on equal opportunity in employment, a Ksh 1.95 million ($15,000) DHS contract for Out and Equal workplace advocates, and a Ksh 767 million ($5.9 million) Department of Commerce (DoC) contract for environmental consulting support services.

“Contract update! Over the last two days, agencies terminated 401 wasteful contracts with a ceiling value of $2.1B and savings of $613M, including a $276k Treasury contract for a ‘Kenya program coordinator’, 

A $228k Treasury contract for ‘Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and Tanzania cruiser vehicles’, a $24k DHS contract for ‘two day training on equal opportunity in employment’, a $15k DHS contract for ‘Out and Equal workplace advocates’, and a $5.9M DoC contract for ‘environmental consulting support services’,” the update stated.

As a result of these cancellations, the projects, roles or purchases they were intended to support will no longer go forward under the terminated agreements. 

The U.S. government says this is part of ongoing efforts to reduce spending and improve how taxpayer money is used.

This comes days after the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) on April 8, terminated grants worth over Ksh 6.7 billion (around $51 million) across several African countries, including a project in Kenya.

DOGE, on April 8, confirmed that the Kenyan grant worth about KSh 6.3 million ($48,406) was cancelled by the USADF.

The terminated Ksh 6.3 million was intended to help develop a WhatsApp chatbot to support local businesses in marketing their products.  By Mercy Sowek, Kenyans.co.ke

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has condemned attempts by senior government officials to silence or censor journalists.

The US Ambassador to Kenya, Marc Dillard, in a brief statement on Saturday, May 3, underscored the significance of journalists in a democratic society. 

According to Dillard, by holding those in power accountable for their actions, journalists play a vital role in protecting a country's democracy.

The US Ambassador noted that while journalists often highlight leaders negatively, their freedom was significant as they act as a crucial link between citizens and the government.

"By asking questions and holding those in power accountable, journalists play a vital role in protecting democracy. Sometimes the media's work makes officials, including me, uncomfortable, but even with that, I know their work isn't invaluable," Dillard stated.

"We oppose efforts to silence or censor journalists. And this World Press Freedom Day, as journalists face censorship and threats, the US embassy celebrates the value of a free press that tells the truth boldly," he added. 

While celebrating the World Press Freedom Day, which is held on May 3 of every year, Dillard expressed the US government's commitment to upholding the rights and freedom of the press.

Dillard's sentiments come at a time when Kenyan journalists are facing several challenges, including harassment and intimidation, despite Constitutional protection of their rights.

The harassment and intimidation often come in various forms, including physical attacks, particularly by rogue police officers, online threats, and legal action.

For instance, on April 10, more than six journalists were allegedly attacked and assaulted by the police while covering the arrest of former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala in Nakuru County. 

The assault, which took place outside one of the three venues hosting the National Drama Festivals, left journalists injured, including three reporters from Citizen TV, two from KTN, and another one from Inooro TV.

The latest incident was the rest of the four filmmakers linked to the creation of BBC Africa's controversial documentary, 'Blood Parliament'. The four were arrested at their studio in Karen on the night of Friday, May 2, and booked in various police stations within Nairobi. By Timothy Cerullo, Kenyans.co.ke