Review of post-election cases begins

By Steve Mkawale

A taskforce speeding up investigations and prosecution of 2008 post-election violence cases has assured victims they would get justice.

The team of 17 held its first meeting Friday at NSSF Building in Nairobi to unravel the 6,081 pending cases and pledged to be independent, fair and objective.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Dorcas Oduor, who is leading the team, said they were aware of public anxiety and expectations.

The team will review, re-evaluate and re-examine the status of investigations. It will also look at the cases that have been concluded, to re-open them if there is fresh evidence.

Members of the team are drawn from the ministries of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the State Law Office, The Kenya Police, Witness Protection Agency and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The team drew terms of reference, schedule of work and budget. First, they will recall files from the police, categorise, summarise and digitise the information.

The process seeks to inject a fresh pace to unravel those who killed, burnt homes, looted, raped and forcibly circumcised people during the post-election violence in 2007-2008.

Odour said the process began in 2008 when the then Attorney General Amos Wako directed the DPP to constitute a taskforce comprising the DPP and police to review and fast track all PEV cases.

Recommendations

“The team carried out a countrywide review and prepared a report submitted to the appointing authority. The report has been used to guide the investigation and prosecution of all PEV cases,” she noted.

The taskforce will review reports, publications and judicial decisions on the post-poll chaos and decide if more suspects should be investigated.

The team will also guide the police on further investigations and recommend how the cases can be disposed of quickly.