Unmarked and Dangerous: Kenyan Subarus Owners Park Cars Over Links to Abductions

In a country where security and law enforcement are paramount, the sight of a Subaru on the road has become synonymous with fear and dread.

The once-reliable and popular vehicle, known for its ruggedness and reliability, is now a favourite for police operations, used for deadly arrests and suspected abductions.

The allegations of Subaru being used by unmarked police units have sparked a social media storm, with Kenyans taking to Twitter to express their outrage and demand action from the authorities.

Under the hashtag #EndAbductionKE, users have shared their stories of encounters with Subaru vehicles, which they claim are being used by rogue officers to trail critics and activists.

In a drastic turn of events, Police denied any role in the abduction of critics, leading to some users are calling for violence against the unmarked vehicles over their links to abductions since they are not police vehicles.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah on the abduction of one Kibet Bull, said he saw a white subaru fitted with sophisticated telecommunication equipment monitoring his activities at his Taj Towers Offices.

The use of unmarked vehicles for law enforcement operations is not a new phenomenon in Kenya. The legendary Peugeot 504, known as “Simba”, was once used by the Flying Squad unit to tackle bank robberies and car thefts.

However, the current trend of using Subarus has raised concerns about the misuse of power and the erosion of trust in security agencies.

The Kenya Police Service has denied involvement in the alleged abductions, but human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the matter.

Amnesty International Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya have urged the government to regulate the use of unmarked vehicles in law enforcement and ensure transparency in their operations.

As the debate rages on, Subaru owners and enthusiasts are feeling the pinch of reputational damage. The once-proud owners of Subarus are now living in fear of being targeted by suspicious Kenyans.

Regional police commander Augustine Nthumbi has ordered officers assigned general duties in Nairobi to use official vehicles when conducting security operations. Only officers on covert assignments will be allowed to travel in unmarked cars with the knowledge and permission of the local Officer Commanding Station (OCS).

As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the Subaru has become a symbol of fear in Kenya. It’s time for the authorities to take action and restore trust in security agencies.