He said the office has a deficit of Sh2.19 billion since only Sh1.087 billion was released to the ODPP for the year 2012/2013/FILE
In a presentation to the Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, DPP Keriako Tobiko indicated that his office was inadequately funded, affected delivery of service.
“I humbly request this August House for its support to enhance the budgetary allocation of the ODPP to Sh3.28 billion as we had requested to the Governance, Justice, Law and Order (GJLO) Sector for effective service delivery,” Tobiko urged the committee.
He said the office has a deficit of Sh2.19 billion since only Sh1.087 billion was released to the ODPP for the year 2012/2013.
He complained that ODPP was facing serious budgetary constraints which have implications on sustaining the new office established under the new Constitution.
“Being a new office, it lacks even the basic equipment and facilities required to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery,” he complained.
The committee also heard that the ODPP was forced to abandon important projects intended to boost its services due to lack of adequate human and financial resources.
In his request, he urged Parliament to consider that the office required additional prosecution and administrative staff and also a budget to cater for the establishment of prosecution services in the counties.
Tobiko further said his office required proper infrastructure to expand its offices including establishment of a resource centre especially for research services which are crucial in prosecution of cases.
The DPP also requested Parliament to consider the establishment of a Prosecutors Training Institute since none exists in the country.
Tobiko said it is difficult for his office to carry out its duties efficiently especially in handling emerging crimes.
He said if the ODPP is to realise its goals of providing efficient prosecution services, the government then has to adequately fund it.
“The inability to carry on the above programmes/projects will very significantly jeopardise the implementation of the necessary reforms within the ODPP for effective and efficient delivery of prosecution services,” he asserted.
He also asked Parliament to: “Fast track the enactment of the National Prosecution Service Bill to give the ODPP the requisite independence and financial, administrative and operational autonomy.”
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