MACHAKOS, Kenya – Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has underscored the need for prosecutors to adopt trauma-informed and human rights–based approaches when handling defilement cases, saying justice must be dispensed with both empathy and integrity.
Speaking during the launch of the fifth cohort of the 160 Girls Training Programme in Machakos, Ingonga—through Senior Assistant DPP Magdalene Ngalyuka—said that understanding the trauma victims, especially children, experience is vital to ensuring that justice processes are fair, sensitive, and effective.
“A trauma-informed approach is not about sympathy; it is about knowledge and awareness that help prosecutors make informed decisions and protect the dignity of victims,” he said.
Ingonga noted that traditional prosecution methods often overlook the emotional and psychological toll faced by survivors of sexual violence, which can compromise the pursuit of justice.
He urged prosecutors to uphold the highest legal standards while also recognising the humanity of victims, ensuring that each case is handled with compassion and strict adherence to the Constitution and human rights principles.
The DPP commended The Equality Effect and its Executive Director, Dr. Fiona Sampson, for partnering with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in implementing the training programme, which he said is critical in strengthening the capacity of prosecutors to manage sensitive sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases.
The 160 Girls Training Programme equips prosecutors with both legal expertise and trauma awareness, aligning Kenya’s prosecution practices with international standards.
Since its inception, the initiative has helped reshape how prosecutors approach cases involving vulnerable victims, contributing to more survivor-centred justice.
According to The Equality Effect’s National Coordinator, Lula Wako, 158 prosecutors have completed the training in the past four months.
She said the ODPP’s participation is central to improving justice outcomes for victims of defilement and other SGBV offences.
Marsabit County Head of Prosecutions, Edwin Otieno, urged participants to apply the lessons learned, noting that effective prosecution requires more than mastery of the law—it demands empathy and an understanding of victims’ lived experiences.
Ingonga reaffirmed his commitment to reforms aimed at improving the quality of prosecutions, saying justice must evolve to reflect the realities victims face.
“By empowering prosecutors with trauma-informed knowledge, we ensure justice is not only applied but also experienced positively by those it serves,” he added.
The Machakos event marked a milestone in the journey toward building a trauma-aware and survivor-centred prosecution service in Kenya, reflecting a broader shift toward a justice system that balances law with compassion.
