Saba Saba demos: Who is behind the killer squad terrorising protesters?

A squad that has left a chilling trail of death wherever it was deployed is seemingly untouchable and acting on high-level orders. But who are the shadowy figures behind this lethal force, and who is commanding them? 

More disturbing footage continues to emerge—videos showing these operatives shooting without provocation, even aiming into apartment buildings where civilians tried to document their actions.

These masked, militarized forces moved like ghosts, answerable to no visible command but coordinated with precision and seemingly with impunity.

The Police Reforms Working Group has condemned the deployment, warning that it violates court rulings and undermines constitutional rights. 

“Heavily armed police with military-grade weapons were deployed in violation of court orders, using masks and unmarked vehicles to conceal their identities," the Police Reforms Working Group stated.

Key police bosses now under public and legal scrutiny in the wake of the deaths recorded include: Adamson Bungei – Director of Operations, National Police Service, Mohammed Amin – Director of DCI, Said Kiprotich – Chief of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit and Noordin Hajji – Director of National Intelligence Service.

Ironically, a similar squad was once condemned by President William Ruto himself.

“Mimi nimeamrisha juzi ivunjwe ile inaitwa special nini ya polisi ambayo ilikuwa inaua watu kiholela...” President William Ruto said in 2022. 

But their recent actions suggest a chilling comeback, just days after a now-retracted but suspicious shoot-to-kill remark by the Interior Cabinet Secretary.

“Mtu mwenye anatupia mawe polisi anataka kuua polisi, mnafikiria bunduki ni maandazi?” Kipchumba Murkomen, Interior CS remarked. 

With over 20 recorded deaths from the Saba Saba protests, questions are mounting on whether this is national security or a sanctioned extermination of those with dissenting voices. The opposition had previously sounded the alarm.

“A special squad of 101 officers that was set up and seconded to NIS under Noordin Hajji and trained highly on torture, killings, and coverup.” Rigathi Gachagua, former Deputy President, highlighted. 

In some cases, bullets have even penetrated rooftops and apartment ceilings, threatening Kenyans in the supposed safety of their homes.

This is the new face of the grim reaper in Kenya’s protests: masked, armed, and sweeping through volatile streets with one mission—to shoot to kill. These aren’t terrorists. 

They’re unarmed youth, falling to live bullets in broad daylight. While high-level operations may be “classified,” the enemy in this case isn’t firing back. Is this security enforcement or a sanctioned slaughter? 

Who are the faces behind the masks? Who gave the shoot-to-kill orders? Who formed these killer squads? And how will men who murder in the shadows be brought to book?

In April, a court ruled that all police officers deployed to demonstrations must be in uniform and easily identifiable. Yet this ruling, too, has been ignored—just like the rights of the citizens now lying dead.