DPP Renson Ingonga's speech during justice reform dialogue in Eldoret

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:03]Yeah. For good. Good afternoon everyone.

[00:00:25]Because Jadana Fore speech.

[00:01:16]It is profound honor to welcome you all to this chapa prosecutor community dialogue forum here in elder. I'm deeply encouraged to see community leaders, justice sector actors, civil society partners, and young people all gathered together to openly discuss justice. Your presence here today affirms a powerful truth.

[00:01:42]Justice does not begin and end in courtrooms. It begins in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and in the courage of ordinary citizens to speak out when something is wrong.

[00:01:57]I'm privileged to be to be joined by colleagues from judiciary, the national police service, the Kenya prison service, the children's office, probation and afterare, the office of the director of public prosecution and other partners in the criminal justice sector. We are here not merely to speak and to explain our p respective mandates but mainly to listen to learn and to strengthen the bond between prosecutors and the community we serve. Allow me to sincerely appreciate the international justice mission and in particular the country director Mr. Vincent Chahal for the continued steadfast partnership in advancing access to justice.

[00:02:46]JM has been instrumental in strengthening justice systems, supporting vulnerable communities and promoting accountability through collaboration and empowerment.

[00:02:58]This forum is anchored in the OBP strategic plan 2023 2027 which envisions a transformative people centered prosecution service. Our work is not only about files, charges and court appearances. It is about people.

[00:03:17]It is about victims seeking justice, accused persons entitled to fair treatment, families searching for answers and communities longing for safety and trust. The Constitution of Kenya, family grounds are mandate.

[00:03:34]Article 17 157 guarantees the independence of the office of the director of public prosecution.

[00:03:42]Article 10 calls upon us to uphold national values and pre principles of governance. Article 48 guarantees access to justice while article 50 safeguards the right to a fair hearing. This provision reminds us that justice is not a privilege for a few. It is a constitutional promise owed to every Kenyan. We cannot speak of justice without addressing the painful reality of gender based violence. Sexual offenses, domestic violence, and intimate partner abuse continue to devastate families and communities, contributing to the alarming rise in femicide and GBV cases nationwide. The law must speak firmly and compassionately to survivors. The Constitution of Kenya, the Sexual Offenses Act, the Children Act 2022, and the Protection Against Domestic Violence 2025 provide vital safeguards to this.

[00:04:49]Article 27 of the Constitution guarantees equality and freedom from discrimination, affirming that every woman, girl, and child is entitled to dignity, safety, and equal protection of the law.

[00:05:06]But rights must not remain words on a paper. They must be felt in the police stations, hospitals, courts, homes, schools, and communities. prevention, early reporting, survivor centered investigations, witness protection, psychosocial support and community vigilance are essential.

[00:05:29]I urge families, neighbors, teachers, religious leaders, chiefs, elders, and young people to break cultures of silence and victim blaming. The ODP remains committed to ethical victim sense sensitive prosecution and accountability for perpetrators.

[00:05:49]Crime today is increasingly digital.

[00:05:52]Offenses are committed through mobile phones, social media, online banking and fraudulent recruitment schemes. We have seen sim swap syndicates, mobile money fraud, fake job offers and online scams targeting the vulnerable youth. I urge the public not to share personal details, pins, passwords or banking information with strangers. Be cautious of job offers that demand money upfront. Reject pri bribery which attracts criminal liability under the bribery act and report suspected fraud, cyber crime or trai trafficking promptly. Silence empowers criminals. Reporting protects communities. The constitution recognizes that not every dispute requires a lengthy court process. Article 159 sub article 2C encourages reconciliation, mediation, arbitration and traditional dispute resolution. Properly applied, these mechanisms restore relationships, reduce hostility and promote harmony.

[00:07:11]The ODP has also developed diversion policy and pleberaining policy guidelines to support fair, efficient and accountable justice. These are not shortcut to injustice. When applied transparently, they reduce delays, decongest prisons, save resources and promote rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders. Justice must punish where punishment is deserved. But it must also create space for reform and restoration.

[00:07:45]I heard the prison command and talk about it and you thought it's a joke. We have people who go to prisons and come out better persons than they went there.

[00:07:54]Let's only just assume prisons is to punish people. We have those who benefit from imprisonment. Not all come out negative. So it is a good thing. Yeah.

[00:08:05]Our theme today chap Chapa and a prosecute is timely and meaningful.

[00:08:10]Justice thrives where there's dialogue, trust, transparency and partnership. The ODP is here to serve the public. Our doors remain open and we encourage you to engage with us, report crime, seek guidance and hold institutions accountable constructively.

[00:08:30]Let us leave this forum with renewed courage to protect the vulnerable, reject corruption, resolve disputes peacefully and build safer, more resilient communities.

[00:08:47]I have talked about alternative alternatives to court processes.

[00:08:58]Many of us or the conventional way people believe is that when you make a mistake, when you commit a crime, you must go through the full trial for someone to have gotten justice.

[00:09:16]We must know that we have other alternatives which are fairly fair and easier than going through the criminal trial process in our courts.

[00:09:31]We must encourage that we can solve our problems outside the court.

[00:09:38]Yeah. Because in most cases, more often than not, you'll find the person you have an issue with is your neighbor, is your relative, is your friend.

[00:09:49]And some of these people are permanent because a relative is permanent. You can never change your relatives. However much you try, you can never change your ne your neighbors in some situations because you can't transfer your land. Maybe you're not able. So, what do you do after that?

[00:10:07]because we still have to live together is still your relative does not change.

[00:10:12]It is always easier to use the alternatives because alternatives bring peace.

[00:10:28]for Peter Court.

[00:11:17]But I've just told you police officer.

[00:11:47]prosecutor.

[00:12:09]It happens.

[00:12:23]Who prosecutor an honor to come?

[00:12:41]because I'm for a way that I Soch.

[00:14:32]terrorism.

[00:14:44]Nigeria justice in the community.

[00:15:14]Can you give the DPP another round of applause?