Have Kenya's police been involved in targeted killings? | BBC Africa News |

Sharif's killing could have been an unfortunate accident, but his death and the recent arrest of nine police officers over the July disappearance of two Indian nationals and their driver, have once again shone a spotlight on Kenya's police service.

For decades, specialised or elite squads within the police, such as the now disbanded Special Services Unit (SSU), have been accused of carrying out extrajudicial killings, abductions and torture of suspects.

The cases have been an open secret but the recent announcement by newly elected President William Ruto of the closure of the SSU was the first time a head of state had openly spoken about atrocities committed by police.

A consortium of international and local NGOs say independent investigations have linked more than 600 killings to special units within the police service .