The viral documentary #BloodParliament, produced by BBC, has won a prestigious journalism award in the United Kingdom for its investigation into the killings of young protesters during Kenya’s June 25, 2024 Gen Z demonstrations.
The 37-minute documentary was named Best On-Demand Journalism at the Royal Television Society awards, a respected British-based educational charity and professional body founded in 1927 that recognises excellence in television across the UK and Ireland.
During the ceremony, members of the judging panel praised the investigative film, saying its production “took their breath away” and highlighting its technical sophistication in graphics and sound.
Investigation Into Deadly Parliament Protests
Produced by the BBC’s investigative unit BBC Africa Eye, the documentary has attracted massive global attention, surpassing 8 million views as of March 2026.
The investigation reconstructs events that unfolded outside Parliament of Kenya when thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets to protest the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Using open-source intelligence, verified videos and forensic analysis, the documentary pieces together footage from multiple sources to track the movement of security officers and identify individuals suspected of firing on unarmed demonstrators.
Gen Z Protests Turn Deadly
The protests, largely organised by Kenya’s Gen Z, escalated when security forces used live ammunition to disperse crowds outside parliament.
Human rights groups and activists say the confrontation left more than 60 unarmed protesters dead, triggering widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
The BBC investigation drew international attention for its digital forensic methods, which analysed timestamps, weapon positioning and video evidence to identify security officers believed to have opened fire on demonstrators.
Political Controversy in Kenya
The documentary also sparked sharp political debate within Kenya.
A planned screening in Nairobi was cancelled after reported pressure from authorities, while some lawmakers criticised the BBC and called for action against the broadcaster over the film.
Despite the backlash, #BloodParliament continues to circulate widely online and is widely regarded as one of the most influential investigations into the 2024 Gen Z protests in Kenya.
