Most prosecution cases have stalled, says report

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PHOTO/FILE DPP Keriako Tobiko acknowledged the inadequacy of police prosecutors, and outlined plans to hire more civilian prosecutors. 

By NATION CORRESPONDENT
Posted  Sunday, December 11  2011 at  19:14

Pressure is mounting on the government to urgently increase funding to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to enable it handle pending post-election violence cases.

A report by the Human Rights Watch says that prosecution of most of the cases has stalled due to the lack of capacity in the DPP’s office. 
It is asking the government to recruit an additional 400 prosecutors to boost the DPP’s capacity.

Civilian prosecutors

This, it says, will not only help solve the post-election violence cases but will also aid in future prosecutions.

“The training of additional civilian prosecutors is an urgent priority to meet Kenya’s justice needs,” the report, Turning Pebbles: Evading Accountability for Post-Election Violence in Kenya, says.

DPP Keriako Tobiko acknowledged the inadequacy of police prosecutors, and outlined plans to hire more civilian prosecutors. (READ: Tobiko seeks Sh4 billion in move to improve prosecution)

Public Service Commission last week approved a new structure for the DPP’s office that will cost Sh5 billion but Treasury is yet to approve the funding.