Cover-up claims as civil society details Saba Saba crackdown horror

Civil society groups under the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) have accused state operatives of running a covert crackdown during the Saba Saba protests that left 38 people dead, including four women and two children, and more than 500 others injured.

In a damning fact-finding report released Sunday, the coalition said armed men in plain clothes, unmarked Subaru SUVs, and ambulances of unknown origin were involved in operations targeting protesters and bystanders in Ngong, Kitengela, Rongai, and Kiserian — all within Kajiado County.

“These shootings occurred in broad daylight and in densely populated areas, endangering many lives,” said Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya.

The groups said the vehicles bore no licence plates, and those involved wore no uniforms, in direct violation of a High Court ruling delivered by Justice Bahati Mwamuye in August 2024.

The ruling had barred the Inspector General of Police from deploying officers in civilian clothing or in vehicles without number plates during protests. The court further required officers on duty to wear visible name tags and service numbers — requirements that were allegedly ignored.

“To date, the Inspector General has not identified those operating from the unmarked Subarus, their institutional affiliation, or the legal justification for their actions,” said Houghton.

Despite court orders and past criticism, PRWG said the State had reverted to unlawful and opaque methods of policing protests.

The groups raised serious concerns about the role of ambulances seen arriving moments after the shootings.

“Some witnesses saw injured people being loaded into ambulances which drove off to unknown locations,” Houghton said.

“Disturbingly, several ambulances were seen trailing the unmarked Subarus, raising serious concerns about the coordination and purpose of the response.”

Chilling claims

The coalition said it remained unclear who dispatched the ambulances, where the wounded were taken, or whether hospital records exist to confirm their whereabouts.

Even more chilling are claims that the National Treasury has been asked to release Sh1.3 billion to private mortuaries to clear outstanding bills — allegedly after a sharp increase in unclaimed bodies during the period of protest-related violence. “This raises serious questions on where the bodies came from, who they are, and why they remain unclaimed,” PRWG said in its statement. In Ngong, at least 31 people were arrested and allegedly held beyond the constitutional 24-hour limit.

“31 protesters were charged with terrorism contrary to Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Section 180 of the Evidence Act, and destruction of property riotously contrary to Section 253(b),” Houghton said.

The coalition condemned the use of capital offences such as terrorism and robbery with violence against protesters, saying such charges undermine constitutional freedoms. [Emmanuel Kipchumba]

“The PRWG acknowledges the constitutional independence of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution but notes with deep concern the increasing trend of preferring terrorism charges, robbery with violence and other capital offences against protesters and people involved in protests,” the group said.

The civil society groups are now calling on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to move swiftly and conclude investigations into the 38 reported deaths, over 500 injuries, and alleged abuses by security forces.

“We urge IPOA to publicly share its findings and move quickly to preserve evidence in areas where killings and serious injuries occurred,” said Sheila Masinde, Executive Director of Transparency International Kenya.