The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution-ODPP is seeking Shillings 9.99 billion in the coming financial year to address the staffing gaps of prosecutors, retooling and security.
In a four-page letter addressed to the Finance Minister Justice Mike Chibita, the Director Public Prosecution, highlights the problem of understaffing of prosecutors, saying it has undermined work in the directorate.
He says that only 345 (41%) of the approved 833 vacancies of prosecutors are filled. He also explained that there are less than 300 prosecutors for the field stations, which require 695 prosecutors while the headquarters have less than 50 prosecutors out of the more than 130 required.
Chibita says each regional office requires at least 10 attorneys but most of them have one lawyer.
Deputy DPP Amos Ngolobe said they had a meeting over the same with the State Minister for Finance in charge of Planning, David Bahati and the Director Budget Kenneth Mugabe this month who advised ODPP to write another letter and promised to provide funds next financial year.
Does DPP have excessive powers
The DPP is appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission. The office can institute criminal proceedings against any person or authority in any court with competent jurisdiction except the court martial.
The DPP also has powers to take over criminal prosecutions instituted by any other party, and can at any stage before a court decision is made withdraw charges against anyone.
The only exception is that if the DPP wishes to withdraw a case that it has taken over from a private prosecutor, it can only do so with the consent of court.
In the exercise of its duties, the DPP is not subject to the direction or control of any authority or individual.
