The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has taken swift action against a senior prosecutor following allegations of bribery, reinforcing its commitment to tackling corruption within its ranks.
According to an official statement from the ODPP, the prosecutor was arrested after allegedly soliciting a bribe of KES. 50,000 from a businessman in exchange for fast-tracking a court case. The incident, widely discussed on social media, has triggered an internal investigation.
In response, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ordered the immediate suspension of the accused officer. “The affected officer proceeds on compulsory leave with immediate effect, pending internal investigations which have commenced forthwith,” the ODPP said in its statement.
The ODPP reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, stating that it remains committed to upholding justice and ensuring accountability within the prosecution system. “The ODPP reiterates its policy on zero tolerance to corruption amongst all its staff in accordance with its clarion call, Mashtaka yenye Haki na Usawa,” the statement added.
Additionally, the prosecution office pledged to cooperate with relevant investigative agencies, emphasizing that “appropriate action will be undertaken, including the decision to prosecute.”
The case underscores Kenya’s ongoing battle against corruption, a persistent issue that has plagued various institutions, including the judiciary. The ODPP assured the public of its commitment to executing its constitutional mandate “in accordance with the rule of law, public interest, and the administration of justice.”