State Prosecutor Noordin Haji has asked Parliament for more funding, saying the overall resource allocation of Ksh3B for the 2019/20 financial year would have a negative impact on service delivery.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution had asked for 4.95 billion shillings.
Haji, who appeared before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee on Monday, said the ODDP requires about Sh5 billion in the next financial year to carry out reforms in the public sector as well as hire competent staff to help with the war against corruption.
Public Prosecutions Secretary Dorcas Oduor echoed Haji’s sentiments saying the allocation was critical.
“To succeed in the fight against corruption, institutions mandated with the fight must be strengthened so that all corruption suspects are brought to book in record time,” said Haji.
The DPP wants improved remuneration of staff and the hiring of competent external prosecutors where expertise is required.
“Judiciary staff earn 4 times more than us… My deputy earns the salary of Senior Resident Magistrate,” noted Haji.
He also wants asset recovery expedited, witness facilitation, installation of technology to enhance electronic disclosure of documentary evidence, a review of existing laws, the purchase of extra vehicles and capacity building.
“Witnesses are not coming to court because they are not being facilitated, especially in rural areas where courts are very far. When they fail and the case stops or flops, the blame is always on the DPP,” Mr Haji said.
On asset recovery, Mr Haji said he was working with the Attorney-General to have a special fund established for monies recovered from foreign accounts as well as locally.
The State Prosecutor also defended cases currently in court saying he had enough evidence to mount successful prosecutions; he boasted of 22 convictions from 88 anti-corruption cases involving Sh16.8 billion.
There have been about 19 acquittals and three withdrawals, while 338 cases are ongoing.
