The Coast civil societies reference group for human rights and security has lauded the Government for disbanding the Special Service Unit of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

The group which brings together several human rights bodies termed the disbandment of the unit as the first step in experiencing the political will that has been lacking for decades in the fight against extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

"We have spoken about extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances for a very long time but the government has always denied it. The disbandment of the police unit by the current president William Ruto is an admission that these atrocities have been taking place and it confirms our previous statements" said Zedekiah Adika, Chairman of the Coast civil societies reference group.

The group now wants President Ruto to order the disbandment of other special groups in the police service and take action against police officers who were involved in the acts.

Adika noted "It is important that the President extends this action across all other security and policing agencies. Disbanding the special unit alone is not enough, members of the unit must be investigated prosecuted for their individual and command roles in extortion, abductions, kidnappings, torture, extrajudicial killings which are serious crime".

The group also demanded that the government immediately commences the process of appointing the National Coroner to facilitate independent investigations into all reportable and questionable deaths in the country.

The group further challenged the newly sworn in DCI boss Amin Mohammed streamlines the department.

"Our expectations with the new DCI boss is that he will be a change maker and ensure that those behind all the vices are brought to book" said Salma Hemed, Deputy Executive director, Haki Africa.

This comes days after the Government disbanded the Special service unit of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

President William Ruto said this was part of the changes in the offing as the new administration seeks to overhaul the management of security in the country.

“I am the one who ordered that the Special Service Unit, which was conducting extrajudicial killings, be disbanded. We have a plan on how to secure this country so that we avoid the shame of Kenyans killed [by the police and their bodies dumped] in Yala River and others. We are going to change this country for the better,” said Ruto.