NAIROBI, Kenya – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is seeking the establishment of a dedicated Public Prosecutions Fund with an initial allocation of Sh2 billion, a move aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to investigate and prosecute complex crimes.
DPP Renson Ingonga, in a joint appearance with National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi before the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation, presented the Public Finance Management (Public Prosecutions Fund) Regulations, 2025, which, if approved, will create a legal framework for managing the fund.
“We depend entirely on the National Treasury,” Ingonga told the committee. “But the lack of direct funding has severely constrained our capacity to deliver timely and effective justice, especially in high-stakes and sophisticated investigations.”
The proposed fund, which requires parliamentary approval, is designed to boost the ODPP’s independence and ability to respond to emerging crime trends, including cybercrime, economic sabotage, and transnational offences.
It would also support asset recovery efforts, which Ingonga said are often delayed or undermined by inadequate resources.
Strengthening the Justice System
Treasury CS Mbadi described the fund as a critical component in modernising Kenya’s criminal justice system, highlighting the increasing complexity of cases due to technological advancements and evolving criminal tactics.
“The ODPP faces many challenges, including sophisticated crime and advancements in ICT,” Mbadi said. “This fund is part of a national effort to promote accountability and enhance public confidence in the justice system.”
The committee, chaired by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, heard that the ODPP’s current financial model — entirely reliant on Treasury disbursements — is insufficient to sustain a responsive and effective prosecution service.
Mbadi noted that the Sh2 billion proposal aligns with the government’s broader push to empower key justice institutions and ensure swift, professional, and independent prosecutions.
If Parliament adopts the regulations, the fund will operate under strict guidelines and be used exclusively to support the ODPP’s mandate, including staff training, forensic support, legal research, expert witnesses, and public interest litigation.
The proposed Public Prosecutions Fund now awaits consideration by Parliament, which will review and decide whether to endorse the regulations.
If passed, the ODPP will gain direct control over its operational budget, potentially transforming how prosecutions are conducted in Kenya.
