- The training is set to sensitise the prosecutors on election offenses and how to preserve evidence.
- He said the divisions will enhance prosecution and promote respect for human rights and the rule of law in the context of elections.
Image: FILE
Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji on Wednesday ramped up preparations for the general election by launching a two-day training of 150 prosecutors and investigators.
The multi-sectoral training converges players in the security sector, NCIC, IEBC, Witness Protection Agency and human rights activists.
The training will sensitise the prosecutors on election offenses and how to preserve evidence.
The training will also feature a simulation of result transmission by the electoral commission so that the prosecutors get sensitised on the key areas to look for in electoral offenses cases to secure convictions.
Haji said his office has operationalised an online platform for efficient reporting, mapping and identification of election and related offences, collection and collation of data from the 47 ODPP county offices and 139 court stations.
Further, he said, his office has established a hate speech and electoral justice division and the Election Preparedness Secretariat staffed with prosecutors specialised in Election and related offences.
He said the divisions will enhance prosecution and promote respect for human rights and the rule of law in the context of elections.
Besides the training and creation of the division, the ODPP has also recently launched key policy documents and guidelines such as the ODPP Compendium on Electoral Justice.
“This is intended to ensure consistency, accountability, transparency and integrity in the investigation and prosecution of electoral and related offences," he said.
“Similarly, we entered into an MoU with the IEBC to streamline the areas of cooperation including; for expeditious prosecution of elections and related offences, sharing of information and data, conduct joint training, among others."
The DPP also launched a toll-free 24 hours Elections Call Centre to enable members of the public to report cases related to electoral offenses that may require his office’s attention.
“(This will)..ensure our accessibility and timely handling of complaints and reports from the Mwananchi during the electioneering period.”
The numbers are 0110939802 and 0800723377.
At the same time, National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman Samuel Kobia complained that the media is undermining the ability of his agency to fight hate speech.
He said media outlets have been refusing to give audio and visual materials as evidence in court when the tapes needed are the critical component to securing convictions.
"If you cannot give the materials when needed in the legal proceeding, then editors must cut out the inciteful and inflammatory videos from their platforms," he said in a speech read on his behalf.
IEBC legal lead Chrispine Owiye said the commission was ready to cooperate with the ODPP in securing and preserving the election materials to be used as exhibits in the prosecution processes.
Roselyne Odede, the chairperson of KNCHR said her agency will collaborate with the ODPP to deploy monitors as the poll rolls on.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)