Unmarked Subarus, live ammunition: Police under fire over Saba Saba protest killings, injuries

The Police Reforms Working Group on Tuesday strongly criticised the police for using excessive force during the Saba Saba protests, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.

Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irũngũ Houghton and Transparency International Kenya Director Sheila Masinde expressed deep concern over the widespread human rights violations.

They reported that at least 38 people were confirmed dead across the country, over 500 civilians and police officers were injured, and the estimated economic loss could be as high as Sh1.1 billion (USD 14 million).

The group said it conducted a fact-finding mission in Kajiado County following reports of widespread killings linked to police operations. They reviewed video footage and gathered multiple eyewitness testimonies from affected areas, including Ngong, Rongai, Kitengela, and Kiserian.

Their findings revealed serious human rights abuses, including the use of live ammunition on unarmed civilians, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and unlawful arrests. The evidence points to grave misconduct by individuals suspected to be police officers.

"Witnesses reported that armed men—suspected to be members of the National Police Service or associated security units—arrived in unmarked Subaru SUVs with no license plates, gave aggressive commands and indiscriminately fired live ammunition at both protesters and bystanders," noted Houghton.

Clear warnings to crowds

According to Houghton, the National Police Service Act requires officers to issue clear warnings to crowds, use less-lethal methods and proportional force, and report every instance of firearm use to both their superiors and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

He noted that the recent shootings occurred in broad daylight and in densely populated areas, putting many lives at risk. Witnesses reported seeing ambulances arrive shortly after the shootings, with injured individuals being loaded in and driven to unknown locations. Alarmingly, several ambulances were seen following unmarked Subaru vehicles, raising serious questions about the coordination and intent of the response.

The group questioned why, to date, the Inspector General of Police has not identified the individuals operating from the unmarked Subarus, their institutional affiliation, or the legal basis for their actions. There has also been no explanation about the ownership of the ambulances, their deployment alongside the armed units, or the destinations of those they transported.

Goons in protests

On her part, Masinde acknowledged concerns about criminal elements infiltrating protests but stressed that it remains the state's responsibility to differentiate between peaceful demonstrators and lawbreakers. She emphasised that any enforcement must be lawful, targeted, and humane.

The lobby is now demanding that the executive condemn the excessive use of force, end the deployment of live ammunition in residential areas, and implement comprehensive reforms to how protests are policed.

"The National Police Service [should] uphold its constitutional role in protecting life, facilitate peaceful protests, and hold officers accountable for unlawful killings and serious injuries," said Sheila.

She urged IPOA to urgently complete investigations into the 38 documented deaths, over 500 injuries, and other reported abuses.

Masinde also called on IPOA to publicly release its findings and act swiftly to preserve evidence in areas where killings and serious injuries occurred.

"Parliament to provide oversight on the conduct of security agencies and act decisively to protect the rights of Kenyans. The Judiciary to safeguard due process and prevent prolonged or arbitrary detention of protestors," she said.