Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko/ AFP
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 26 – Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko on Thursday urged criminal justice agencies in the country to coordinate their approaches in order to dispense justice more impartially and efficiently.
Speaking at a workshop on cooperation between the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the DPP in Naivasha, he said coordination of criminal justice agencies will help win public confidence.
“It will ensure just processes and just and effective outcomes; it will deal with cases throughout the criminal justice process with appropriate speed and meet the needs of witnesses and jurors within the system and also promote confidence in the criminal justice system,” he asserted.
Tobiko believed that if the agencies worked together, it will not only give justice to Kenyans but also go a long way in fighting criminal activities in the country.
He admitted that currently, criminal justice agencies do not work together as they should, hence creating loopholes for duplication of roles and blame game that end up frustrating delivery of justice in the country.
He further said lack of coordination of too many criminal agencies in Kenya had led to unnecessary delays in justice processes and uncoordinated responses.
“This multiplicity of actors in a multiplicity of processes without common overarching objectives has led to a number of undesirable outcomes such as territorial wars, back-passing and scapegoat, publicised but embarrassing ‘beauty contests’,” he said.
The DPP said lack of coordinated approach in investigating and prosecuting criminal activities were also a set back in development due to insecurity that frustrates investments and business security.
“Indeed, poor governance, insecurity, and the breakdown in the rule of law are major causes of increasing poverty, food insecurity and economic collapse. Kenya recognises the direct correlation between crime and development, and the pivotal role played in that respect by the criminal justice system,” he explained.
Tobiko said it was necessary that criminal agencies set up joint goals with the aim of dealing with crime in the country and giving proper justice without delays to not only restore security in the country but to also respect human dignity by punishing those violating other people’s rights.
During the workshops, participants from criminal justice agencies will discuss ways in which they can work together to improve and create efficiency in delivery of justice and punishing of offences.
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