The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga has opened a specialized training session for 30 prosecutors focused on enhancing the prosecution of defilement cases.
The initiative is upported by the 160 Girls Project.
In his keynote address, DPP Ingonga emphasised the pivotal role prosecutors play in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Why Kenyan prosecutors are undergoing specialised training
He noted that the training reflects the ODPP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional responses to defilement and other SGBV-related offences, particularly those affecting the most vulnerable members of society.
“This training is not just a professional development exercise, it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to protect children and ensure they are heard and served with justice,” said the DPP.
“As prosecutors, we are not just legal officers; we are human rights defenders for our nation’s most vulnerable, our children,” he added.
The DPP further highlighted that successful prosecutions depend heavily on the quality of investigations and the strength of the evidence presented in court.
He also called for continued collaboration with law enforcement to bolster the integrity of investigations and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
“We must use the knowledge gained here to restore public confidence in our criminal justice system. Every child who suffers abuse deserves not only justice but dignity. Our duty is to ensure we do not re-traumatize victims through our processes,” Ingonga stated.
National Coordinator for Equality Effect Kula Roba Wako echoed these sentiments, stressing the transformative potential of the training.
Importance of prosecutors training on defilement cases
“This programme enhances the prosecutorial approach to defilement cases by focusing on both legal and psychosocial dimensions. A successful prosecution sends a clear message, there is a functioning, child-focused justice system in Kenya,” Wako said.
The training follows a successful pilot programme held in April this year and brings together prosecutors who will be equipped with trauma-informed and victim-sensitive approaches.
It further aims to strengthen prosecutors’ capacity to handle defilement cases with empathy, integrity, and legal precision, while strengthening inter-agency collaboration with the National Police Service and the Judiciary.
