Nairobi, Kenya – May 2, 2025: In a sudden and unexplained police operation, four documentary filmmakers were arrested today in the Karen suburb of Nairobi, raising questions and concern among Kenya’s creative and civil liberties communities. Among those detained are well-known creatives Nicholas Gichuki, Brian Adagala, and Mark Karubiu, as confirmed by a breaking news update from NTV Kenya.
The group, reportedly working on a controversial investigative project titled Blood Parliament, was taken from their studio in Karen under circumstances that remain unclear. According to preliminary reports, no official reason or charges have been publicly disclosed by authorities at the time of this publication.
Witnesses near the scene described the arrests as abrupt, involving plainclothes officers who confiscated several pieces of equipment, including computers and hard drives. There is speculation that the arrests may be linked to the sensitive nature of the group’s recent work, though this remains unconfirmed.
NTV Kenya reported the development via its social media platforms, posting images of Gichuki and Adagala with a bold headline: “Blood Parliament: Filmmakers Arrested.” The news has sparked an immediate response online, with activists and supporters demanding transparency and legal representation for the filmmakers.
The Kenya Film Commission has yet to issue a statement, while human rights organizations, including Article 19 and Amnesty International Kenya, are monitoring the situation closely.
This incident has reignited concerns over freedom of expression, media rights, and state surveillance in Kenya. As more details emerge, pressure is mounting on law enforcement to clarify the reasons behind the detentions and ensure due process is observed.
