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.