ODPP withdraws 10,000 cases annually, nominee tells vetting committee

Renson Mulele Ingonga, nominee for the position of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) during his vetting by the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs committee at Parliament buildings on  August 31, 2023. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Director of Public Prosecutions nominee Renson Ingonga has told Parliament that the office withdraws around 10,000 cases annually, and that to focus only on the few high-profile cases is to miss the point.

Ingonga, who appeared before the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee for vetting yesterday, said most of the cases that have been withdrawn did not have enough evidence to sustain a conviction.

He said that the office terminated the cases to avoid suits that would have lost the taxpayer billions of shillings.

Committee chairperson George Murugara had sought to know how Ingonga will handle the remaining high-profile cases and cushion his office against political interference after some cases that hold huge public interest were terminated by his predecessor Noordin Haji due to what was described as lack of evidence.

“I would like to inform this committee that the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions terminates over 10,000 cases across the country due to lack of evidence to avoid a scenario where the accused may sue the state and earn billions of shillings through compensation,” said Ingonga.

The nominee told the committee the courts must be satisfied with the reasons given by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for the termination of cases after a presentation is made to court. He said he would not allow political interference in the performance of his duties if approved.

Ingonga told the committee that the Sh3.5 billion budget allocated to the office annually was not sufficient to enable it perform its roles as expected. He said his office was required to have at least 1,000 prosecutors yet it had only 710 to serve courts across the country.

“For the criminal justice system to work seamlessly, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions must be well funded. That is the only way we can have a prosecutor in each court station,” said Ingonga.

The nominee pledged to fight corruption in the office by coming up with necessary structures to ensure that the vice is dealt with since the office has a key obligation to ensure that justice is delivered to all and sundry.

He told the committee that his net worth is Sh300 million which which includes a family home, family land among other properties.

Ingonga told the committee that he has served the ODPP for nine years.

“During my tenure I have dealt with wealthy individuals but I have never allowed them to compromise my work through bribery. I would like to assure Parliament that I will not be compromised while serving Kenyans in my new position,” said Ingonga.

The nominee said he would ensure that the quality assurance department was vibrant by ensuring that cases brought before court have enough evidence to sustain a conviction.

The committee will deliberate the suitability of Ingonga and later present a report to the House. If approved, Ingonga will take over the position formerly held by Haji who was appointed National Intelligence Service Director General.