The mandate of Office of the Director Public Prosecution as derived from Article 157 of the Constitution is to institute and undertake prosecution of criminal matters and all other aspects incidental thereto.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) makes the decision to charge and determines what charges should be preferred in a criminal case. The DPP performs the following functions.
To institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court of law other than a court martial in respect of any offences alleged to have been committed by that person.
To take over and continue any criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by another person or authority.
To discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any criminal proceedings.
To direct investigation and guide the conduct of criminal investigations.
To advise government Ministries, Departments, Agencies and County Governments on matters pertaining to the development and application of criminal law.
To monitor, train, appoint and gazette public prosecutors.
To facilitate victims of crime and witnesses during prosecution.
To contribute and influence policy, procedure and law reform; and to address complaints raised by ODPP clients that are within our mandate.
To address complaints raised by members of the public, watchdog bodies and other institutions.