NAIROBI, Kenya — Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has called for strengthened civic responsibility and national cohesion as the country prepares for the August 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the launch of the Mimi ni Mkenya initiative, Ingonga said the programme comes at a critical moment in Kenya’s democratic journey, stressing the need for an informed and actively engaged citizenry to safeguard electoral integrity.
He commended Nation Media Group for spearheading the initiative, noting its role in shaping public discourse and promoting democratic values.
“The initiative is both timely and necessary, as it seeks to foster an informed citizenry that is essential in protecting the integrity of our electoral processes,” Ingonga said.
The DPP underscored that the objectives of the Mimi ni Mkenya campaign align with key constitutional provisions, including Article 10 on national values and principles of governance, Article 38 on political rights, and Article 81, which outlines the principles for free and fair elections.
He emphasized that these constitutional safeguards must be upheld not only during election periods but throughout the entire electoral cycle, calling on citizens to actively participate in governance processes while respecting the rule of law.
He highlighted that the ODPP, under Article 157 of the Constitution, remains committed to prosecuting electoral offences, including electoral violence, hate speech, incitement, and dissemination of false information.
The DPP warned that with the increasing use of digital platforms, these offences are evolving, often appearing in coded language or subtle expressions of ethnic contempt online, which presents new challenges for law enforcement agencies.
To address these emerging threats, the ODPP is reviewing legislative frameworks to strengthen the prosecution of election-related crimes.
Proposed reforms include expanding offences under the National Cohesion and Integration Act and tackling organized political violence, which has become more sophisticated in recent election cycles.
Ingonga also stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration.
The ODPP continues to work closely with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), National Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Joint trainings, capacity-building programs, and coordinated operations are underway to enhance preparedness ahead of the 2027 elections.
Despite the institutional focus, the DPP emphasized that the success of electoral justice ultimately rests with citizens.
He described the Mimi ni Mkenya initiative as a platform for promoting civic responsibility, urging Kenyans to adopt its “Each One Teach One” approach by becoming ambassadors of peace, defenders of truth, and champions of lawful conduct.
He linked the initiative to ongoing voter registration drives such as the Tuko Kadi Movement, underscoring that voter registration must be accompanied by civic education.
“Every registered voter must exercise their right responsibly, uphold peace, reject incitement, and report unlawful activities,” Ingonga said.
The DPP reiterated that the ODPP’s approach is people-centered and transformative, focusing not only on enforcement but also on prevention through public awareness, partnerships, and engagement.
He called on government agencies, media houses, civil society, and development partners to strengthen collaboration in public sensitization, early warning systems, and accountability mechanisms.
The DPP described the Mimi ni Mkenya initiative as “more than a campaign; it is a clarion call to choose unity over division, truth over misinformation, and justice over impunity. Let each one of us rise to that call.”
