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Tobiko also stated that he had directed all Heads of County Offices within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to take full charge of all election related offences within their regions/FILE

Kenya

Prosecutors on 24hr call during polls

Tobiko also stated that he had directed all Heads of County Offices within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to take full charge of all election related offences within their regions/FILE

Tobiko also stated that he had directed all Heads of County Offices within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to take full charge of all election related offences within their regions/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 28 – Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko has assembled 30 prosecuting counsel to be on call 24 hours before, during and after Monday’s General Election.

Tobiko told a seminar on the preparedness of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to handle election related offences on Thursday that the ‘rapid response team’ would ensure that any incidents are expeditiously and effectively investigated and prosecuted.

“The reason why the 2008 post election violence wasn’t effectively dealt with was because of the lack of preparedness by all the law enforcement and justice agencies. So this team is an important tool to the fight against election fraud,” the DPP said.

Tobiko also stated that he had directed all Heads of County Offices within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to take full charge of all election related offences within their regions.

At the headquarters in Nairobi, there will be a co-ordinating secretariat that will oversee all county operations.

“No excuse for any delay will be accepted. Let me also restate loudly and clearly that my office is ready and will deal with election offenders firmly, speedily and without fear and favour. So be warned,” he stressed.

He also added that his office would fast track offences reported and would not spare anyone.

Tobiko said that they were working closely with the police and he had asked the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to report any arrests made arising from the perpetration of electoral and related offences to him within the shortest time possible.

“No excuse for any delay will be accepted. Let me also restate loudly and clearly that my office is ready and will deal with election offenders firmly, speedily and without fear and favour. So be warned,” he stressed.

Earlier in the morning, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga had also assured Kenyans that all the election-related petitions would be heard and determined expeditiously.

Speaking when he launched the Pre-Election Report of the Judiciary Working Committee on Election Preparations, the CJ assured that the Judiciary is fully prepared to deal will all election-related matters.

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“As we approach another election next week I can confidently proclaim that the entire Judiciary is ready from the Magistrate, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Let the country know that we are fully prepared and organised to deal with any number and manner of disputes that may arise from this elections,” Mutunga said.

CJ Mutunga said he had appointed 114 judges and 436 magistrates to handle election petitions.

Judges hearing presidential petitions will deliver rulings within two weeks while the other petitions will be determined within six months.

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