Four Kenyan police officers who were part of the notorious Special Service Unit (SSU), linked to extrajudicial killings and other crimes, were on Tuesday, charged over the disappearance of three men whose bodies have never beeThe victims, two Indian nationals and their driver, a Kenyan, were reportedly abducted and murdered by the SSU team in July and their bodies were never found.
The officers, according to media reports in Nairobi, were part of the dreaded SSU that was shut down last week by President William Ruto over accusations of involvement in a spate of abuses, abductions and violent murders.
“The accused are charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and abduction over the disappearance in July of two men, both Indian nationals, who were part of Ruto’s campaign team.
“Their driver, a Kenyan, also vanished and has not been found.
“This investigation is complex and requires more time and collaboration with other government agencies including India,” state prosecutors said in court papers.
The prosecutors also told the court they had “faced interference and threats to life from serving public servants including police officers” since taking on the case.
A Nairobi-based civil society group, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), said in a statement on Tuesday that it had begun investigations and an audit of the SSU “as a matter of priority.
“As a watchdog established by parliament to keep a check on a powerful institution whose reputation also ranks among Kenya’s most corrupt, IPOA is determined to begin an extensive investigation into the activities of members of the force and a total audit of the SSU,” it said.
The SSU, which was formed 20 years ago, was disbanded by Ruto last Thursday folowing public outcry over their activities and the controversy surrounding the disappearance of the three men, and their officers being linked to a string of crimes.
“We can efficiently and effectively suppress crime, monitor, disrupt and apprehend criminals without abducting, torturing, killing or causing citizens to disappear,” Ruto had said before disbanding the unit.
“It is time to retire these terrible tactics and professionalise our criminal justice system,” the President added.