Tobiko pleads for money to hire staff

By Rawlings Otieno

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Keriako Tobiko, is asking for funds to recruit 350 prosecutors to the Judiciary.

Tobiko said his office was in talks with the Public Service and the Treasury to expedite the funds release, which would ensure the provision of quality and efficient services to the public.

"We have requested the Treasury to approve the funds immediately in conformity with the massive cases pending at the Judiciary. We must add officers to meet this growing demand," said Tobiko.

The DPP made the remarks during a sensitisation workshop for prosecutors on international criminal justice, terrorism and organised transnational crimes at a Naivasha hotel.

Tobiko said the workshop was part of a series of training programmes organised by the Institute of Security Service jointly with national authorities aimed at enhancing the capacity and competency of investigative, prosecutorial and judicial authorities.

The training was aimed at equipping the police and prosecutors to respond more effectively and efficiently to emerging forms of organised crime such as terrorism, money-laundering, piracy, cyber-crime, trafficking in humans, arms and narcotics as well as crimes against humanity.

Tobiko pointed out that there was a renewed push to fast track the completion of investigations into over 5,000 post-election violence cases. To this end, a multi-agency taskforce would undertake a countrywide review and evaluation of all PEV cases under investigation and those pending before court.