OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

DPP Tobiko seeks Inspector General of Police Kimaiyos intervention in disciplining drunken Kitui Police Prosecutor

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Keriako Tobiko has petitioned Inspector General of Police, Mr. David Kimaiyo, seeking immediate disciplinary action against a Kitui based Police Prosecutor who was caught visibly drunk at his work station. In a letter addressed to Kimaiyo, Tobiko expressed disgust at the embarrassing and shameful conduct of Inspector of Police Joseph Kiarie who was caught on camera attempting to execute his duties while visibly drunk. While describing the incident as shameful, Tobiko noted that Kiaries conduct had embarrassed the many hardworking police prosecutors in the country while bringing to shame the entire prosecution and justice system service. The DPP confirmed that he has already directed that the officer be immediately relieved of his prosecutorial duties at the Kitui Law Courts. As the custodians of Public Prosecution services, Tobiko further confirmed that his office has also commenced a formal process to degazette Inspector Kiarie as a Public Prosecutor. I confirm that prosecution counsel from the ODPP have been appointed to take over prosecution of cases in the Kangundo Law Courts, Tobiko disclosed. In the TV footage aired on Prime Time TV news on Thursday night, the Kitui based Police Prosecutor was caught red handed visibly drunk and engaging members of the public who had gathered to demonstrate gainst his conduct. At the Office of the DPP, efforts to revitalize the national prosecution service have been ongoing. From a base of 93-prosecution counsel two years ago, Tobiko disclosed that an ongoing drive to boost the ODPPs prosecutorial capacity has seen a steady growth with a total of 248-prosecution counsel now retained.

Notwithstanding the current challenges, Tobiko assured that the ODPP vision is to become a bastion of efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of prosecution services within the region. These services will not only be; anchored on a value-based framework, but will also bear the mark of the best international standards, principles and practices. It is our hope that all stakeholders within the criminal justice system will support the realization of our collective strategic goals considering that we are all part of the criminal justice chain.

28 th FEBRUARY 2014