By Daniel Nzia
Machakos, Kenya: Machakos County will take a big leap in the fight against crime by establishing a modern forensic laboratory.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua said his government has set aside Sh100 million to fund the project, the first of its kind in Kenya. “We have decided to come up with this ambitious project to ensure speedy investigations of crime and charge culprits in the shortest time possible,” he said.
Dr Mutua spoke outside his Machakos office after meeting with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko. Machakos County Commissioner Ann Gakuria and senior officials from the DPP’s office accompanied him.

He said he would work closely with the DPP in setting up the forensic unit and an investigations centre to boost security. He said his county government would strive to boost security to attract more investors.
He urged the national Government to make Machakos a pilot county on security and prosecution matters.

Poor and slow crime investigations have led to many prosecutions failing the test of the courts. Mr Tobiko welcomed the proposed forensic laboratory, saying it would help in the fight against crime and ensure faster prosecution.
The DPP lamented the country lacked well equipped forensic facilities, a fact he said has led to many unresolved crime cases, including high profile murders.
Earlier, while closing a two-day workshop for senior police officers and prosecutors, Tobiko said the Directorate of Public Prosecutions had started decentralising its services in line with the new dispensation.
Tobiko said the department has so far opened prosecution offices in 29 of the 47 counties. “We did this to move our services to the counties and ensure smooth and effective service delivery,” he said
Machakos County is set take a leap in the fight against crime by establishing a modern forensic laboratory.

Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua said his government has set aside Sh100m to fund the proposed project, the first of its kind in the country.

“We have decided to come up with this ambitious project in order to ensure speedy investigations of crime cases and charge the culprits in the shortest time possible after a crime is committed,” said the governor.
Dr Mutua was speaking outside his Machakos office after meeting with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko. Machakos County Commissioner Ann Gakuria and senior officials from the DPP’s office accompanied him.
Dr Mutua said it is the desire of his government to see a crime free county so that investors go about their businesses in a safe environment.
He urged the national Government to make Machakos a pilot county on security and prosecution matters for other counties to copy.

Source – Standard Digital
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