DPP Noordin Haji promises convictions in 2020

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has said it will deliver convictions for most of the cases before court.

Speaking on Friday, DPP Noordin Haji defended his office from allegations that they present weak cases in court hence the lack of convictions.

“We are getting tired of the narrative that our cases are weak,” he said. “But then again we have made it clear convictions are not about prosecutors and prosecutions but about the criminal justice and the chain within it. It will be as weak as the chain that is weak.”

Haji cautioned Kenyans against being impatient saying that they have to factor in the appeal process.

“We will get convictions but remember there is the process of appeal. I don’t want people to be disappointed when we get convictions at the Magistrate level and people rush to next level for appeal to the High Court and Court of Appeal. This is a constitutional right and people have right to appeal,” he said.

“We are confident we will get the convictions but once appeal process kicks in, the blame should not be shifted to the ODPP or the investigators or any other person,” he added.

Mr. Haji also expressed confident that his office will recover any property or monies acquired through corrupt means.

“We are committed to the issue of recovery, we have a prosecution fund with Ksh.2.9 billion in that account,” he said. “We are setting up an administrative team independent from the ODPP and will be transparent and funds will be there for Kenyans to audit.”

The DPP however lamented over the rising cases of people not respecting court orders, something he says should be nipped in the bud.