ODPP participate in the LSK Legal Awareness Week 2024 countrywide

LSK Legal Awareness Week 2024 was a success, with ODPP taking part in a just concluded Legal Awareness Week countywide that provided an avenue for members of the public to be informed and guided on legal matters affecting them and as well as where to seek help in case they were aggrieved.

At Milimani Law Court parking yard, ODPP offered legal advice to 72 members of the public by walking them through the criminal justice system process from the time a case is reported to the police to when an accused person is jailed, fined, or acquitted. 

This allowed the public to comprehend the mandates of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as well as those of other agencies. They were advised to visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the ODPP website: https://odpp.go.ke/faq/. 

It was noted that most of the time, aggrieved individuals who wish to seek justice are unable to do so because they are unfamiliar with criminal justice system actors and their mandates and sometimes end up seeking assistance from an agency on a matter that is not within their mandates.

Members of the public were surprised to learn that ODPP does not investigate but rather makes the decisions to charge or not charge based on the evidence presented by investigative agencies such as the National Police Service, EACC, and IPOA, amongst others.

They also offered career guidance to 20 law students from various universities in Kenya. Aspects of the fight against corruption, factors considered during the decision to charge, withdrawal of cases, and aspects of plea bargaining, diversion, and clarification of various legal legislations, such as the Sexual Offences Act, of 2022, were discussed.

People who visited the ODPP’s stand across the country described the initiative as very crucial, with many describing the legal advice as an eye opener and a boost to their legal and human rights understanding.

During day 3 of the LSK Legal Awareness Week 2024, Mr. Michael Sang, Ag. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, County Affairs, and Regulatory Prosecution, gave a brief overview of the ODPP’s mandates and career guidance to University of Nairobi Law students who visited the ODPP stand.

Mr. Hassan Abdi, Ag. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions at the Department of Inspectorate and Quality Assurance also visited the ODPP stand at Milimani Law Courts yard alongside a team from ODPP Nakuru.

The ODPP Garissa County team led by the North Eastern Regional Head, Mr. Bonny S. Okemwa, SADPP, engaged in public sensitization together with the RCK Garissa Officers during the LSK Legal Awareness Week 2024, held at the Garissa Law Courts yard.

Members of the public were taken through the tools of Diversion, Plea Bargain Agreement, the Decision to Charge, General prosecution guidelines, and Bail and Bond policy guidelines.

ODPP Nanyuki also participated in the Legal Awareness Week, where officers educated the public on the office’s mandate and key policies, including plea bargaining and diversion. The office was represented by Counsel Maina Kimaru and Linnette Obado.

Moreover, ODPP Baringo, along with other stakeholders, took part in the LSK Legal Awareness Week 2024 at the Baringo County Parking Yard.

The event provided an opportunity for the ODPP to educate the public on its mandate and key policies, including plea bargaining, diversion, and the handling of minors in the criminal justice system. The ODPP Baringo team also advocated for mobile courts to deliver legal services to underserved communities.

This initiative aimed to enhance understanding of the office’s mandate and legal processes, while also promoting regional peace. as well as to foster peace in the region.

On the final day of the LSK Legal Awareness Week 2024, Mr. Robert Otieno, Prosecution Counsel in Lodwar, joined the LSK Turkana Chapter for a visit to Lodwar Main GK Prison to provide legal aid.

Mr. Otieno reassured remandees and convicts with appeals of the ODPP’s commitment to expediting the resolution of all pending trials and appeals.

He explained the process for escalating concerns through the DPP’s office and the court system, addressing questions on plea bargaining and advising remandees facing murder charges on options available to them.

Justice P.J. Otieno, Presiding Judge of the Lodwar High Court, was also present to support the initiative