Lawyers in North Rift want police discontinued from prosecuting

By EDWIN CHESEREK

Lawyers and activists in the North Rift want police to be stripped of their prosecution duties and handed over to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

They also suggested that the law enforcers should cease from handling criminal files that fall under prosecution to limit backlog and adjournment of cases in the judiciary.

Angu Kitigin, an advocate of the High Court, says police should be tasked with arresting and investigating suspects and the DPP allowed to prosecute the cases.

“A number of cases are pending before court because there is no separation of powers and duties between the police who are investigators and the DPP as the prosecutor,’’ Kitigin explained.

He singled out anti-corruption cases, which he said police only investigate and hand over the findings to the DPP’s office for prosecution thus enhancing efficiency in delivery of justice.

Mr Kitigin said allowing police officers to handle criminal casefiles causes delays in terms of adjournment since they fail to produce records in court at the time the same is required to prosecute a case.

This comes amid concerns from senior police officers in the region claiming they face difficulties in combating crime especially when the junior officers team up with the suspects.