Footage showing masked men shooting at unarmed protesters has caused deep anger and fear across the country. These men were later identified as members of the Operations Support Unit, a special team under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The scenes of violence have brought back painful memories of past police crackdowns, with many Kenyans now asking how such a unit was allowed to operate so brutally.
The most painful moment came with the reported killing of 19-year-old Moses Tobiko, who was allegedly shot while walking home in Kiserian during the Saba Saba protests.
What makes the situation worse is the response from the police leadership. National Police Spokesman Michael Muchiri admitted that he had no official information about the masked officers.
He said he had only seen what was circulating on social media and had not received a proper briefing. This statement has not helped the situation but has instead made people angrier, as it suggests there may be no control or monitoring of these security units.
The Operations Support Unit, which replaced the infamous Special Services Unit in 2023, was supposed to be more accountable. But its tactics seem no different.
Instead of protecting citizens, it now stands accused of operating in the same shadowy and deadly manner as the unit it replaced. People are now asking if the government simply gave a new name to the same old problem.
The fact that these officers were in unmarked Subarus, wearing masks, and shooting without clear cause has only deepened suspicion.Some reports claim the unit’s actions across Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, and Murang’a were being directed by Commissioner Zachary Kariuki.
There are also claims that the officers were given the green light to use “extra measures” to suppress protests. This raises serious questions about the level of force allowed by the state and whether these operations were planned with full knowledge of higher authorities.
The use of force in the name of national security is now being seen by many as a cover-up for possible human rights violations.
There is still no word from senior officials in government or the Interior Ministry. This silence is making things worse. Kenyans want answers, not more statements about social media reports.
The people deserve to know who gave the orders, who carried them out, and what the government plans to do to stop further killings. Without a clear and independent investigation, the fear is that these killings will continue under the same system that is supposed to protect the public.
