Date set for vetting of DPP nominee

By Peter Ochieng 

The date has been set for vetting of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) nominee, Renson Mulele Ingonga.

Ingonga, currently serving as the deputy DPP was nominated by President William Ruto on 17th August, 2023.

He is set to face Members of Parliament (MPs) for vetting on Thursday 31st August, 2023 for vetting.

Renson was nominated from a list of 15 candidates interviewed for the position, following the exit of his former boss, Noordin Haji.

Vocal lawyer Joshua Miguna Miguna was among the applicants, but did not make the interview shortlist.

Noordin is currently serving as National Intelligencte Service (NIS) Director General.

The office of the Clerk of the National Assembly wants Kenyans to submit written allegations they may have, challenging Ingonga's nomination ahead of the vetting exercise.

“Article 118[1][b] of the constitution requires Parliament to facilitate public participation in the legislative and other business of Parliament and its Committees and section 6(9) of the parliamentary appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act 2011,” reads in part the notice from office of the Clerk.

“Any person may prior to the approval hearing and by written statement on oath, provide the Clerk with evidence contesting the suitability of a candidate to hold the office to which the candidate has been nominated.”

The petitions, if any,  have to be submitted by 30th August.

Members of the Justice and Legal Affairs committee in the National Assembly will conduct the approval hearing, before reporting back to the House within 21 days.

The committee is chaired by Tharaka MP George Gitonga Murugara. Legislatures will then debate the report of the committee for possible adoption or rejection.

If his nomination is approved, Ingonga will become the third Director of Public Prosecutions under the current constitution, promulgated in 2010, after Keriako Tobiko and Haji.

A DPP holds office for an eight-year non renewable term.

The mandate of DPP as derived from Article 157 of the constitution, is to institute and to undertake prosecution of criminal matters and all other related incidents.

He/She makes the decision to charge and determines what charges should be preferred in a criminal case.