DPP Ingonga banks on capacity building to step up terrorism fight

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga now says the fight against terrorism is critical to the country’s stability and growth of the economy.

Speaking when he launched a two-week pilot training for prosecutors at the Prosecution Training Institute (PTI) in Nairobi, on Monday, Ingonga said the threat of terrorism, terrorism financing, violent extremism and radicalization continues to pose significant risks to national security and the rule of law not only in Kenya but across the region.

He said such training will impact prosecutors with special skills and expertise required to effectively investigate, prepare and present compelling terror-related cases in court.

“Taking into account the level of responsibility involved in prosecuting terrorism-related offences, the citizens of Kenya have the right to expect that prosecutors handling such cases are highly trained, skilled and committed,” Ingonga said.

“Further, with the evolving legal landscape and the sophisticated nature of modern crimes, prosecutors must maintain an up-to-date understanding of legislative and case-law developments both nationally and internationally. Therefore, continuous training, particularly in emerging fields such as terrorism and terrorism financing is essential.”

He went on to say that the program, the Counter-Terrorism Module and pilot training program for prosecutors, which is a first of its kind in East Africa, will provide prosecutors with an innovative and effective mechanism, as well as the necessary tools to prosecute terror-related offences.

It focuses on areas that will enhance prosecutors’ skills in mastering the art of drafting strong indictments, preparing compelling legal arguments, and presenting evidence in court

The training also encourages collaboration with international partners in investigating and prosecuting transnational terrorism.

“The training will further aid prosecutors to among others enhance their skills in evidence gathering, witness handling and utilizing technology in criminal investigations.”

Present at the event were Alloys Kemo, the Acting Secretary of Public Prosecutions, and Micheal Sang the ODPP Head of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime Division, among other officials.

The program was supported by among others the British High Commission.

Kenya has in the past decade suffered from a number of terror attacks including at the Westgate Mall and Dusit hotel in Nairobi which left scores dead, dozens injured and destruction of property worth millions of shillings.

Several terror-related suspects and convicts are serving sentences in Kenyan jails.