DPP Ingonga Urges Unified Approach to Safeguard Witnesses Across Africa

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, today graced the 3rd Regional Africa Witness Protection Association Conference, where he called for deeper collaboration among witness protection institutions across the continent.

The conference, themed “Strengthening Witness Protection in Africa: Experiences, Challenges and Prospects,” brought together representatives from witness protection agencies in Kenya, South Africa, Burundi, Rwanda, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Namibia, with participants engaging in discussions aimed at building stronger systems for safeguarding witnesses and enhancing cross-border cooperation in handling sensitive cases.

In his address, DPP Ingonga underscored the importance of a united front in witness protection, noting that a cohesive African network would simplify engagement, foster mutual support, and strengthen the rule of law across the region.

The Director of Witness Protection in Kenya, Jedidah Waruhiu, lauded the presence of her counterparts from the participating countries, noting that their collective expertise is vital to addressing emerging threats to witness safety. She urged the agencies to leverage partnerships and continue exploring proactive approaches that ensure witnesses are shielded from intimidation, reprisals, and exposure.

“Our commitment to witness safety must evolve with the challenges we face. Continuous dialogue and joint initiatives are essential in developing solutions that reinforce our protection frameworks,” Waruiu noted.

In a show of institutional support, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah Mokaya, pledged full cooperation from the judiciary to ensure witnesses under protection receive a conducive environment when testifying in court. She emphasized that justice delivery is incomplete without safeguarding the individuals who enable it through their testimonies.

“The judiciary remains committed to upholding fair and secure processes for all witnesses. We will ensure protected witnesses are afforded an environment that respects their dignity, safety, and legal rights,” Mokaya affirmed.

The conference is expected to develop shared standards, explore technological innovations in witness protection, and build a platform for ongoing inter-agency collaboration.