The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) Coast Regional office Thursday convened a multi-agency conference in Mombasa to enhance collaboration among criminal justice actors and deepen understanding of key prosecution policies.
The conference focused on the ODPP’s policies on the decision to charge, plea bargaining and diversion, which are key processes in the administration of criminal justice.
Coast Regional Coordinator and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Joseph Kimanthi officially opened the one-day conference and outlined the mandate of the ODPP within the criminal justice system.
Kimanthi emphasized the importance of close collaboration among institutions involved in investigations and prosecutions to ensure efficiency and fairness in the administration of justice.
The conference was designed to provide a structured multi-agency platform for sharing information on the mandate and policies of the ODPP, with a focus on practical lessons drawn from investigation and prosecution processes.
The discussions also aimed at strengthening cooperation among agencies while enhancing appreciation of the ODPP’s role in the criminal justice system.
Deputy Regional Coordinator and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Tito Wanga presided over the training, with several prosecutors facilitating sessions.
During the technical sessions, ODPP prosecution counsels Alex Ndiema and Martin Karuiki facilitated a presentation on the decision to charge, highlighting the legal and evidential considerations prosecutors evaluate before instituting criminal proceedings.
Principal Prosecution Counsels Franklin Sirima and Brenda Ogada took participants through plea bargaining.
Sirima and Ogada explained how the policy can help expedite the resolution of cases while ensuring justice is achieved.
“Plea bargaining allows an accused person to plead guilty to a charge through an agreement with the prosecution. It helps resolve cases faster, reduces court backlog, and allows the court to determine an appropriate sentence while ensuring justice is served,” the two stated.
The process starts with an accused person voluntarily admitting to the offense before recording a confession between a competent judiciary officer or a senior police officer from the rank of chief inspector.
On the part, Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele and Prosecution Counsel Martin Mbote delivered a presentation on diversion, stating the role of the policy in solving minor offences notably involving vulnerable offenders outside the formal court process.
Ombele and Mbote indicated that the policy only allows eligible cases to be handled through rehabilitation, reconciliation, and community-based interventions.
The conference was organized by the ODPP in partnership with Reach Out Centre Trust, a Mombasa-based organization involved in drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation.
The forum, held at Saphire Hotel, brought together officers from the ODPP, the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the State Department for Correctional Services (Probation), and the Children’s Department.
The participants ended the conference with a question-and-answer session to reflect on lessons learned while resolving to enhance inter-agency collaboration with a view to revitalizing access to justice in the region.
By Anthony Solly
