ODPP participates in the International Day of Peace in Kapenguria, West Pokot
Ms. Magdalene Ngalyuka, ODPP Head of Hate Speech and Electoral Justice Division, and Mr. Desmond Majale, County Head of West Pokot, participated in the International Peace Day celebrations at Kishaunet Showground in Kapenguria, West Pokot. The event was organized by NCIC Kenya and the County Government of West Pokot, with the theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” The event provided an opportunity for the ODPP to educate the public about its mandate and essential policies like plea bargaining, diversion, and the complexity of hate speech. Ms. Ngalyuka and Mr. Majale emphasized the importance of the community in promoting a peaceful atmosphere as well as highlighting the different hate speech-related crimes. Senior Prosecution Counsel Ms. Selina Loitareng engaged the Pokot community in their native language to ensure clarity and reinforce the key messages shared. Additionally, the ODPP West Pokot team emphasized the significance of mobile courts in providing legal services to communities with limited access. This initiative seeks to raise awareness of legal processes and promote peace throughout the region. The celebrations concluded with Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, NCIC Chairperson, and Hon. Dorcas Kedogo, Commissioner, presenting awards to Peace Ambassadors and launching a transgenerational booklet. The ceremony was attended by a number of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Interior, County Government of West Pokot and Turkana, Interpeace, NCTC Kenya, and other peace-building organizations, reinforcing collaboration for a peaceful community. October 1, 2024
Prosecutors and DCI trained on handling and presenting Electronic evidence in court proceedings
Prosecutors and the DCI Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit (AHTCPU) through support from Lawyers Without Borders (LWOB), underwent a two-day training session aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities that come with presenting electronic and digital evidence in court proceedings. The session focused on child justice and the use of the child friendly interview room, an ODPP pioneering initiative aimed at facilitating child friendly interviews using technology to pre-record evidence of child victims, thereby minimizing revictimization and retraumatization of child victims. The team was also taken through the concept of Team Synergy, psychological safety in interagency collaboration as well as how to build effective teams in diverse and stressful situations. September 13, 2024
DPP hosts Ms. Maureen Mimnaugh, Director, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
September 12, 2024 The Director of the Public Prosecutions, Mr. Renson Ingonga, OGW hosted the Director, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), Ms. Maureen Mimnaugh, and her delegation for an introductory meeting aimed to strengthen the partnership between ODPP and INL. The discussion emphasized the need for continuous capacity building and specialized training for prosecutors, particularly in areas such as, cybercrime (including cryptocurrency), wildlife crimes (including controlled delivery investigations), drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and other transnational organized crimes. The aim is to improve handling of complex cases and to enhance multi-agency collaboration, in order to strengthen national and regional efforts in combating such crimes. The meeting also highlighted the importance of advocacy programs and campaigns focusing on human rights, constitutionalism, and its correlation with criminal law. Both parties also agreed that ODPP should develop a coherent monitoring, evaluation, and learning tools to assess and provide data for successful case studies and pinpoint specific training needs for prosecutors.
DPP hosts H.E. Dr. Roberto Natali, the Italian Ambassador to Kenya
September 11, 2024 The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Renson Ingonga, OGW, hosted H.E. Dr. Roberto Natali, the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, and his delegation to discuss potential areas of collaboration. During the meeting, they discussed enhancing collaboration between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Italy’s Prosecutor General’s Office under the Supreme Court of Cassation. Their focus was on tackling transnational organized crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering, which necessitate mutual legal assistance and international cooperation for extradition purposes. To advance this, both parties agreed on establishing a Memorandum of Understanding to improve justice administration in criminal matters and uphold human rights. They also emphasized on the need for specialized training and capacity building for prosecutors to advance their skills, enhance investigations, and promote better information sharing among law enforcement agencies.
ODPP Kitui participates in a sensitization activity for Kitui County CUC
ODPP Kitui participated in a sensitization activity for the Kitui County Court Users Committee supported by the Legal Resources Foundation and World Vision Kenya. Participants were drawn from ODPP, Judiciary, LRF, the Law Society of Kenya (Kitui Branch), NGAO, National Police Service, Civil Society and Religious leaders amongst others. ODPP was represented by Ms. Pauline Mwaniki, Principal Prosecution Counsel, Ms. Florence Njihia, Senior Prosecution Counsel and Mr. Derrick Epaye, a researcher.
ODPP Makueni participates in a sensitization forum in Wote
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) Makueni participated in a sensitization forum on gender mainstreaming towards a gender-just society held in Wote. During the event, the Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centre (GBVRC), in partnership with Nairobi Women’s Hospital was also launched. The ODPP was commended for its timely delivery, commitment in handling gender-based violence cases, providing a crucial link between the centre and the justice system for survivors. Prosecution Counsel, Ms. Margaret Muraguri represented the Office. The event was graced by the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, Ms. Anne Wang’ombe, the Deputy Governor of Makueni County, H.E. Lucy Mulili, and the Founder and CEO of Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Dr. Sam Thenya, among others.
ODPP Isiolo participates in a stakeholder open day at the Isiolo Law Courts
ODPP Isiolo led by the county head, Mr. Bernard Ngetich participated in the stakeholders open day held at the Isiolo Law Courts. The team sensitized members of the public on the mandate and roles of the Office, and they were also taken through various ODPP policies on dispute resolutions such as, Plea bargaining, Diversion and Judiciary’s promotion of AJS.
ODPP and DRS enhance cooperation on Refugee Affairs
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) held an engagement meeting with a team from the State Department of Refugee Affairs, led by Commissioner John Burugu, to advance the DPP’s strategic agenda on interagency collaboration. The primary goal was to identify and strengthen areas of cooperation and coordination between the two entities. The discussions focused on addressing the challenges posed by the increasing influx of refugees in Kenya, particularly in the Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps. A key outcome was the decision to establish a liaison between the ODPP and the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) to enhance accountability and operational efficiency in managing refugee-related issues. Ms. Jacinta Nyamosi, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions for the Conventional and Related Crimes Department, highlighted the various interventions implemented by the ODPP in court cases involving refugees. She pointed out that language barriers significantly hinder the progress of such cases and urged the Department of Refugee Services to address this issue, assuring them of the DPP’s full cooperation. Commissioner John Burugu noted that most refugees entering Kenya originate from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. To effectively address this, he emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, involving both local and regional security agencies. The meeting also resulted in an agreement to conduct joint training sessions involving the ODPP, DRS, and other actors in the justice sector. These sessions will educate participants on the Refugee Act, clarify the roles of various departments, and outline the procedures for effectively handling refugee-related cases. Additionally, there was a consensus to develop guidelines and conduct a sensitization program aimed at supporting both prosecutors and judicial officers in managing refugee cases. The commissioner called on the ODPP to identify focal persons for specialized training, who would, in turn, train other stakeholders within the justice sector.
Mr. Hassan Abdi, Ag. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, represents the DPP during the 5th Annual Media Training
Mr. Hassan Abdi, Ag. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, represented the DPP during the 5th Annual Media Training under the Missing Voices coalition which was held between 2nd and 5th September 2024 at Sarova Maiyan, Nanyuki. The workshop focused on “Police Accountability, Safety, and Security for Journalists” brought together journalists from Mount Kenya, Isiolo and Marsabit. During the four-day training, various agencies such as ODPP, DCI, IPOA, NPSC, IAU, and the Witness Protection Agency had the opportunity to share invaluable insights into their roles and mandate within the criminal justice system. The discussions highlighted collaborative efforts needed to support and protect journalists in their essential work. Delivering the closing remarks on behalf of the DPP, Mr. Hassan emphasized the DPP’s commitment to fostering cooperation between journalists and law enforcement, urging journalists to maintain objectivity in their reporting. He also encouraged participants to apply and disseminate the knowledge gained, advocating for a framework of mutual respect and accountability between the media and law enforcement. Mr. Hassan also expressed his gratitude to IJM Kenya, Amnesty Kenya, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, and Article 19 East Africa for their support in making the training successful, ensuring journalists are well-informed and empowered to report responsibly and safely.
ODPP pushes for Amendment to Children in Conflict with the Law Rules
The Director of Public Prosecutions Renson M. Ingonga, OGW in enhancing his agenda on Interagency collaboration and coordination held a consultative meeting with the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome on The Children (Children in conflict with the law) (Practice and Procedure) Rules, 2024. The Rules Committee of the Judiciary and the National Council on the Administration of Justice standing Committee on Children matters developed a draft Children (children in conflict with the law) (practice and procedure) Rules, 2024, pursuant to sections 234 and 243 of the Children Act which grants powers to the Chief Justice to make Rules. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions proposed amendments to the proposed draft Rules which if left unattended might have legal ramifications as well as infringe on the powers and mandate of the office. After a fruitful engagement, the two institutions agreed to amend the Rules before they take effect. The DPP called on the committee to ensure that the Rules acknowledge the role played by the justice sector actors. He added that the Constitution is clear under Article 157, which outlines the role and mandate of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The Chief Justice noted that, for justice to be served in a fair, efficient, and transparent way, there needs to be consensus between the key institutions in the justice sector, especially on the fidelity of the law. She added that there exist several matters in court that involve children hence, the Children Act 2022 should guide on the dispensation of justice to children, adding that it should be a point of reference at all times.