Punish drunk prosecutor, David Kimaiyo told

By CYRUS OMBATI

Kagundo, Kenya: The Director of Public Prosecutions has asked Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo to take disciplinary action against a Kangundo-based police prosecutor who reported for duty drunk.

In a letter addressed to Mr Kimaiyo, Mr Keriako Tobiko expressed disgust at the “embarrassing and shameful conduct” of Inspector Joseph Kiarie caught on camera attempting to execute his duties while visibly drunk. Tobiko said Kiarie’s conduct had embarrassed many hardworking police prosecutors, bringing to shame the entire prosecution and justice system. The DPP confirmed that he had directed that the officer be relieved of his prosecutorial duties at the Kangundo Law Courts.

As the head of public prosecution services, Tobiko further confirmed that his office has also commenced a formal process to degazette Inspector Kiarie as a public prosecutor.

“A prosecution counsel from the DPP has been appointed to take over prosecution of cases in the Kangundo Law Courts,” he said.

 Contacted, Kimaiyo confirmed receiving the letter from Tobiko and promised action will be taken against the officer. In the TV footage aired on Prime Time TV news on Thursday night, Kiarie was caught on camera visibly drunk and engaging members of the public who had gathered to demonstrate against his conduct. Efforts to revitalise the national ODPP have been ongoing. From a base of 93-prosecution counsel two years ago, Tobiko disclosed that his office now has 248 prosecutors. 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 realisation of our collective strategic goals considering that we are all part of the criminal justice chain.