DPP acknowledges the threat posed by Terrorism financing to regional peace and stability

The Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has noted that the threat of terrorism, terrorism financing, violent extremism, and radicalization continues to pose significant risks to peace, stability, and security in the region. Adding that it hampers efforts to promote and protect human rights and therefore an obstacle to national development.

Speaking in Mombasa during the training on the adjudication of counter-terrorism cases organized by the Kenya Judiciary Academy, Mr. Vincent Monda, the head of the Mutual legal assistance division representing the DPP noted that the training represents an opportunity for stakeholders in the criminal justice sector to share and draw lessons from their experiences to synchronize initiatives and strategies.

He added that Terrorists are exploiting social media, and encrypted communications in the deep and dark web to spread propaganda, recruit new followers and coordinate attacks. He further stated that the increase in radicalization has been aggravated by the penetration of terrorist groups into Cyberspace thus making the threat continue to evolve.

He reiterated that the adjudication of such serious and complex crimes requires concerted efforts and acknowledged the Judiciary for the critical role it plays such as facilitating various pre-charge applications, extradition requests, applications for orders to investigate accounts and financial records, mutual legal assistance requests, and trials which enable the investigative agencies effectively carry out respective their mandate. 

The focus on adjudication of counter-terrorism cases offers an opportunity to audit processes and procedures to ensure a seamless and timely resolution and determination.

Further, he reported that the ODPP has established the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crimes Division with specialized prosecutors who work closely with law enforcement officers and commended the Judiciary for the establishment of Kahawa Law courts a specialized court to handle counter-terrorism matters.