Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko feted as best public servant

Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko

Kenya: The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko has been feted as Outstanding Public Servant for initiating and promoting reforms at his institution.

Tobiko was Thursday recognised as the winner of the inaugural Outstanding Public Service Award. It was the first such award.

This is after he emerged top among seven nominees in recognition that made it to the shortlist of the annual civil society awards, initiated by the National Civil Society Congress.

Speaking at awards Gala at a Nairobi Hotel, National Civil Society Congress Coordinator Suba Churchill said most Kenyans, who were involved in the process to identify the best performing civil servant, were satisfied that the Office of the DPP stood out in service delivery.

"The award seeks to shed a positive light on any public office or officer whose leadership has shown tremendous improvement and has made profound impact on the public. Mr Tobiko and the institution he heads met the threshold for top recognition in the country," said Churchill.

He explained that the congress invited members of the public to vote online for their desired candidates and a physical survey of over duration of three months was carried put in sampled counties, whose response was rated as remarkable.

"While many names were mentioned, the panel narrowed down to seven of those who received the highest consideration.

We, however, arrived at an objective decision after a thorough evaluation of the milestones that the officers and their institutions have made within their respective constitutional mandates," said Churchill.

Among the parameters used to identify the winner, according to the organizers, was the extent of professionalization, innovation and expansion of offices to the counties. The automation of services and also presence on the online platforms including social media counted.

"We also looked at an institution that seeks a new way of doing things, one that has established a workable complaint receiving mechanism from the public. The Office of the DPP impressed the panelists," said Churchill.

Nominees who made it to the shortlist were Agnes Odhiambo (Controller of Budget), Charles Nyachae (Constitutional Implementation Commission Chairman), Edward Ouko (Auditor General).

Others were Attorney General Githu Muigai, Ombudsman Otiende Amollo and chairperson of Salaries Remuneration Commission Sarah Serem.

"I am honored to receive this award. It is not a personal award because I don't work alone. I dedicate to my colleagues. It belongs to all the rank and files in my office," said Mr Tobiko.

The DPP appealed to civil societies to be at the forefront in protecting independent institutions and holders of constitutional offices, noting that they are under attack daily from politicians and people who feel aggrieved with their work.