Government will respect autonomy of independent state institutions, says Kindiki
The Deputy President highlighted the importance of institutional autonomy in ensuring fair and impartial justice.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured Kenyans of the Executive's allegiance to preserving the independence of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and other independent institutions.
Speaking during the launch of the ODPP's Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 in Nairobi, Kindiki said that President William Ruto's administration will not meddle in the work of the ODPP but will instead encourage a wholesome government approach to the criminal justice system.
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The Deputy President highlighted the importance of institutional autonomy in ensuring fair and impartial justice, reaffirming the government's commitment to provide the required resources to enhance the efficiency of these institutions. He highlighted the importance of cooperation between government institutions to achieve their shared goals and fulfil their mandates.
"The executive is committed to providing resources, and finances allowing us to ensure that we not only enhance but also safeguard the independence and interdependence of the offices and institutions. President Ruto has been steadfast in his emphasis that he will not interfere with functions of independent offices but encourages a whole of government approach with the criminal justice system," Kindiki said.
While celebrating the creation of independent offices and institutions under Kenya's Constitution, Kindiki said that the focus should be on collegial engagement rather than autonomy, promoting a unified government approach.
He applauded the ODPP for launching its strategic plan and reiterated the government's commitment to supporting its transformative initiatives.
The ODPP's new strategic plan focuses on modernising operations, enhancing public confidence, and fostering cooperation among key stakeholders in the justice sector.
The Deputy President explained that while these institutions are independent, their independence is limited to four specific aspects.
He added that outside these areas, the institutions must rely on interdependence, collaboration, and cooperation with other arms of government to fulfil their mandates effectively.
"Independent institutions and offices are independent in four aspects; Decisional independence; that you have the independence to make decisions without interference from any authority or quotas. The decisions you make on who to prosecute, and which prosecution to terminate, nobody or institution should interfere with.
"Administration independence whereby the ODPP as an independent institution must run its projects and programs under the chain of command that is established. Thirdly, Financial and budgetary independence — the moment you receive your resources and how you spend them, nobody should interfere with that. Finally, operational autonomy — that your operations must be independent from any other quota. Beyond that, the rest of the ground calls for,” Kindiki said.
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