The four Kenyan filmmakers who were arrested by police in a dramatic fashion on Friday, May 2 night in their studios in Karen, Nairobi, have been released.
Nicholas Wambugu, Brian Adagala, Mark Denver Karubiu, and Christopher Wamae were released on Saturday, May 3 morning on free bond.
The Kenya Film and Television Professionals Association (KFPTA) says police confiscated their equipment and data storage devices during their arrest, and booked for “false publication”.
“We have been informed that they are facing charges related to publishing false information and cyberbullying, and we call on the relevant authorities to provide full transparency regarding these charges and the conditions under which the filmmakers are being held,” KFPTA Chairperson Ezekiel ‘Ezy’ Onyango says in a statement seen by TV47 Digital.
While the police have not specified the “false” content the four published, sources had hinted that authorities are linking them to a recent documentary that centred on sensitive aspects of last year’s Gen Z protests.
However, CNN’s Larry Madowo says the BBC says the four filmmakers were not involved in the making of BBC Africa Eye’s ‘Blood Parliament’ documentary.
Dennis Itumbi, the Head of Presidential Special Projects & Creative Economy, has condemned the arrest of the four, insisting that they have not broken any law.
Itumbi, moments later, also clarified that the four are not linked to BBC in any way.
Police released the quartet but reports indicate they are still holding on to their equipment and storage devices.
After their arrest, they were taken into custody at Muthaiga and Pangani police stations.
More to follow.
