Kenya launches guidelines for probing crimes linked to police officers.

By Samuel Ouma

Through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), the Kenyan government has unveiled procedures to be followed when investigating and prosecuting police officers involved in human rights violations.

The guidelines are dubbed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The SOPs were launched alongside the ODPP excellence charter by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji. It will ensure justice for all Kenyans.

The event was also attended by the Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Dr. Fred Matiang’i, president of Court of Appeal Justice Daniel Musinga, Inspector General of police Hilary Mutyambai among others.

The charter provides a strategy to transform the office through six key strategic commitments: reshaping prosecution, leadership, organizational effectiveness, and interagency networks. Others are independence and integrity, and lifelong learning.

The plan will be implemented in the next three years at the cost of ksh3 billion ($30 million).

Dr. Matiang’i lauded DPP Noordin Haji for the crucial role he plays in transforming the justice sector, calling for cooperation among agencies to achieve their goals.

“From our end as security sector players, we are obliged to measure up to the expectations of fighting crime through prosecution-guided investigations and inter-agency collaboration, and this is what the and this is what the Excellence Charter launched today brings on board,” said Matiang’i.

He asked the public to play a more active role in fighting crimes by reporting crime cases.

“The Charter represents a greater commitment to reforms within the ecosystem of the criminal justice system, but this journey requires collaboration with the public through crime reporting,” said the CS.