Leading human rights groups have renewed calls for investigations into Kenya's security forces killing protesters during tax increases last June.

This is after the BBC's African Eye investigation, exposing members of security forces that shot three protesters in Kenya's parliament, sparking public outrage and demands for justice.

Amnesty International and the Kenyan Human Rights Commission (KHRC) said officials identified in the documentary should "face the law."

A Kenyan government spokesman responded that "every life matters", police regulators are conducting investigations and criticized the BBC documentary as "unilateral".

"Those who do documentaries should seek government advice ... so that they can be fair and balanced," Isaac Mwaura said.

“For example, they show that the Parliament is burned down, but they don’t show who is doing it; they seem to minimize the violations that occur in Parliament.”

He acknowledged that protesters had reasonable concerns about the Financial Act, but said: "We cannot have a country that is also made up of anarchy and chaos."

The BBC has asked the government to participate in the documentary.

The police department said that in response to the documentary airing, the unit was unable to investigate itself, adding that Kenya’s Independent Police Supervision Agency (IPOA) was responsible for investigating alleged misconduct.

The Kenyan Defence Force (KDF) told the BBC that the IPOA did not forward any requests to investigate its participation in parliamentary operations.

BBC Africa’s Blood Parliamentary documentary reveals how security forces reacted cruelly to young protesters violating Kenya’s parliament on June 25, 2024, while lawmakers voted in favor of ratifying the proposed tax rate hike.

The controversial financial bill aims to raise $2.7 billion (£2 billion) the government says it needs to reduce its reliance on external borrowings - but has triggered widespread impact.

The BBC's analysis of more than 5,000 images, using open source data and user-generated content, identified a unified security officer - a policeman and soldier - opened fire on parliament, killing three unarmed protesters.

According to Amnesty International, security forces have carried out a series of protests against the Financial Act, killing at least 65 people, causing the forced disappearance of 89 people and arresting thousands.

The Kenyan government has placed the death toll at 42.

On Monday, the BBC said it canceled a private screening of documentaries in Kenya’s capital Nairobi “due to pressure from authorities.”

A BBC spokesman said: "We are very disappointed because they are unable to share documentaries and group discussions as planned."

The spokesman added: "At the same time, viewers can watch the movie on the BBC Africa YouTube channel."

Amnesty said the documentary confirmed the group's early reports that "unnecessary and excessive lethal force was used against protesters."

It called on the police and the Army to "publicly state actions regarding the discovery of the BBC Exposé."

Rights groups urge Kenyans to sign a petition asking for a public investigation into the murders during the protests called #occupyparliament.

KHRC said the BBC documentary reveals how “organized criminals in police and military uniforms” were deployed to murder innocent Kenyans.

It said: "The responsibility is taken by (President William) Ruto and must be held responsible for these deaths."

Kenyans expressed their anger online, urging the government to hold security officials responsible for the killing and harm of peaceful protesters.

Ruto, who had previously defended the police against atrocities allegations, recently warned Kenyans not to comment on military affairs.

Police have also repeatedly denied participating in the kidnapping and killing. No official was prosecuted.

On Monday, the IPOA updated the investigation after the release of the BBC African Eye documentary.

Authorities have revealed that 41 of the 60 deaths investigated so far have involved gunshot wounds.

The IPOA said it has completed 22 investigations and is actively conducting 36 investigations, and currently two cases are being heard in court.

The investigative agency said it recorded 233 injuries during the demonstrations.

The main opposition coalition said in a statement that “the execution of peaceful protesters was premeditated and approved at the highest level”.

Mr Mvola said the documentary risked “inciting Kenyans for violence” while a lawmaker demanded that the BBC be banned in Kenya.

George Peter Kaluma said the 37-minute documentary risked "destroying" the country.

But Sen. Edwin Sifuna defended the documentary, saying there was no "fabricated" in it.

Sifuna posted on X: "We must encourage telling these stories from all angles for truth and justice. Those who are uncomfortable with it are fighting their own consciences and there is nothing we can do."