ODPP participates in community dialogue in Mombasa’s Bangladesh informal settlement in commemoration of International Human Rights Day

On 6^th December 2024, The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions joined other criminal justice actors and civil societies for a community dialogue in Mombasa’s Bangladesh informal settlement to commemorate this year’s International Human Rights Day.

Representing ODPP, Prosecution Counsel Yassir Mohamed enumerated various policies geared towards accelerating the access to justice.

The event organized by International Justice Mission (IJM) Kenya centred around raising public awareness on the role of various agencies in the country’s criminal justice sector.

Yassir informed the attendants that the office derive its mandate from Article 157 of the Constitution, which is to prosecute criminal matters and uphold the rule of law.

He reiterated that the ODPP is committed to providing people – centred prosecutorial services. Yassir stated that the office serves as a public defender in the criminal justice chain by applying the constitution in order to protect fundamental rights and freedom of the citizenry.

He added that the ODPP embraces cooperation, collaboration, and coordination with other actors in order to promote and strengthen policing initiatives for Kenyans.

Several issues were raised during the panel discussion, including the withdrawal of cases, with Yassir outlining the role of the office and the courts before any matter is withdrawn.

Yassir also informed them that insufficient evidence and lack of public interest are some of the thresholds for rejection of certain cases at the decision to charge (DTC) stage.

On police brutality, Yassir indicated that the DPP has powers to direct investigating agencies to conduct an expedited investigation in order to prosecute the culprits.

Present during the events are representatives from IJM, Haki Yetu, Haki Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, the UN, and the diplomatic mission.

IJM Kenya organized the forum to foster human rights-centred policing, promote good relations, champion community policing, and break the circles of violence within communities, especially against children, women, and young people.