The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the International Justice Mission-Kenya (IJM) have announced a joint initiative aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of its prosecutors.
In a statement released on August 5, the ODPP revealed plans for refresher training for its prosecutors in all eight regional offices across the country.
This collaborative effort aims to strengthen their decision-making abilities, ultimately leading to more effective investigations and prosecutions.
“Refresher training for Prosecutors to provide additional training for prosecutors across the eight ODPP regional offices to refine their decision-making processes regarding charges,” said the ODPP.
The announcement comes on the heels of a recent meeting between DPP Renson Ingonga and IJM Country Director Benson Shamala, where they discussed the long-standing partnership between the two organizations.
Details of the Partnership Between ODPP & IJM
Over the years, the ODPP and IJM have worked together to achieve significant milestones, such as the publication of the Case Digest Volume 1, which focuses on human rights violations.
“A major milestone was the publication of the Case Digest Volume 1, which focused on human rights violations, showcasing their collaborative strength in advancing justice,” read the statement.
Additionally, they have organized roundtable meetings with community justice centers to raise awareness about the ODPP’s role and mandate within Kenya’s justice system.
Also, during the meeting the ODPP and IJM reiterated their commitment to expanding their collaborative efforts.
It was noted that plans are underway to develop Case Digest Volume 2, which will spotlight jurisprudential cases and delve into critical aspects such as plea bargaining and decision-to-charge policies.
Also Read: ODPP Criticized After Acquittal of Balala in Ksh8.5 billion Graft Case
Organization Heads Give Their Remarks
Ingonga expressed his gratitude for IJM’s unwavering support and their significant contributions to capacity building within the ODPP.
He emphasized how this support has been crucial in enhancing the office’s ability to fulfill its mandate effectively.
IJM Country Director Shamala, on the other hand, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continued cooperation with the ODPP, underscoring their shared mission to advance justice in Kenya.
ODPP Criticized Over Dropping High Profile Cases
This development comes days after the Prosecutions Office was called out by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) Secretary General Stephen Mutoro over the withdrawal of high-profile cases.
In a statement on August 1, Mutoro called for limiting of the ODPP’s “excessive powers” to questionably withdraw high profile cases without proper justification.
Also Read: ODPP Comes Clean on Obado Cases After Sifuna Remarks
He specifically expressed concerns over the recent acquittal of former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala who was implicated in a corruption case.
Mutoro emphasized that such actions show a lack of regard for public interest as well as the recovery of lost public resources.
“Methinks, the proposed National Dialogue should clip excessive powers of the ODPP abused at will, to enter questionable Nolle Prosequi (withdrawal) of corruption and other public interest cases – without explanation, due regard for public interest and recovery of lost public resources,” he said.
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