Human Rights Watch (HRW), a global organization focused on human rights, has revealed the existence of a secret unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). This unit could be linked to the troubling increase in disappearances in the country.

HRW claims that President William Ruto formed a new group called the Operation Support Unit (OSU) after disbanding the controversial Special Service Unit (SSU) in 2023. This new unit allegedly performs the same functions as the SSU did.

Moreover, reports suggest that a smaller, hidden group within the OSU is carrying out illegal activities under the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Otsieno Namwaya, Associate Director at Africa Human Rights Watch, stated that the NIS, led by Noordin Haji, created this special unit to carry out secretive and often violent tasks, including kidnappings.

“When President Ruto took office in 2022, he raised alarms about the SSU, which he said was involved in kidnappings and disposing of bodies in River Yala,” Namwaya shared. “At the time, over 30 bodies had been found in the river. We believe he had insight into these issues since he was Deputy President then.”

Namwaya accused the newly formed OSU of continuing the SSU’s harmful actions, noting that it randomly abducts individuals across the nation.

Victims of these abductions often include suspected traffickers and critics of the government.

There’s also another group, termed the Operation Action Team, made up of members from various security agencies like the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, DCI, and military intelligence.

While the team is officially led by a senior DCI officer, it is believed that the NIS is the real power behind its operations, overseeing activities through surveillance.

“The Operation Action Team operates under a senior DCI officer, but the NIS controls everything behind the scenes,” Namwaya reported. He further mentioned a covert group within the NIS known as Mafundi, which is involved in these actions. “Mafundi are the ones who execute the dirty jobs.”

These claims come after a serious allegation from Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Justin Muturi, who accused the NIS of kidnapping his son.

“Mafundi participate in abductions as part of a multi-agency team. There’s a lot of confusion. Sometimes it’s hard to determine if NIS, DCI, or military intelligence is responsible,” Namwaya explained.

He noted that many abductions in Lamu, Garissa, and Mandera from 2015 to 2017 were carried out by military intelligence. Although the military was involved in some kidnappings last year, he asserts that the main actions are now driven by the NIS and DCI.

HRW Executive Director Mausi Segun claims that President Ruto holds ultimate responsibility for the current abduction crisis.

“It’s clear who is behind this. It’s complex, but for those of us investigating, the truth is becoming evident. We are uncovering layers of this problem that need to be addressed at the highest levels,” Segun stated.