The lobby group, Justice and Equity Council has given a 14-day ultimatum to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, to prosecute corrupt government officials or face a petition for removal from office.
In a press statement delivered in Nairobi on Monday, the group decried what it termed as the "continued betrayal of the Kenyan people" by the DPP and called for swift action against entrenched corruption and impunity. "We have given the government 14 days to act on the prosecution of all corrupt state officials," said Justice and Equity Council Chairperson Sebastian Onyango. "At the end of 14 days, we will file a formal petition to remove DPP Renson Ingonga from office for gross misconduct, abuse of office, and dereliction of constitutional duty." The organisation condemned what it described as "fraudulent plea bargains" and "selective justice," alleging that Mr Ingonga has sabotaged several high-profile graft cases, and colluded with powerful individuals to frustrate justice. "The Office of the DPP, meant to safeguard justice and protect citizens from impunity, has now become a shield for looters of public funds," said Onyango. "By reducing the Sh1.9 billion Migori heist involving former Governor Okoth Obado and his family to a mere Sh235 million plea bargain deal (out of court settlement), the DPP has openly trampled on the principles of justice and accountability," added Janet Sutton, the Council's Secretary.
The group also named other senior figures allegedly protected from prosecution, including a former Kakamega governor, describing the pattern as a "deliberate betrayal of the Constitution." "Instead of defending the public interest, Mr Ingonga has withdrawn prosecutions without explanation and protected politically connected individuals.
These actions amount to gross abuse of office and deliberate betrayal of the constt," Onyango said. "We state clearly: Enough is enough.
