Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has defended the withdrawal of several high-profile cases, saying many of them amount to malicious prosecutions that end up costing the government heavily.
Speaking during a media briefing on Friday, August 29, Ingonga explained that when individuals sue the State and win, the financial burden falls on his office, draining resources that could otherwise be used to pursue stronger cases.
“Failure to withdraw these cases makes the government liable for malicious prosecution,” he said. “Every time a person sues and wins, the money comes directly from the government’s budget, and that is a high cost on us.”
Ingonga added by stating that pulling back from such cases allows his office to redirect focus to other prosecutions where evidence is stronger and convictions more likely.
His remarks come amid growing criticism of the Office of the DPP for repeatedly withdrawing cases involving prominent people moves that some Kenyans see as protecting the powerful at the expense of justice.
Several major graft-related cases have been dropped in recent years. Among them was a Ksh7.7 billion corruption case against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which was withdrawn due to lack of sufficient evidence.
Aisha Jumwa, now the Chair of the Kenya Roads Board, also had charges of embezzling Ksh19 million dismissed.
Businessman Yagnesh Devani similarly walked free after prosecutors said they lacked witnesses and documents in a Ksh7.6 billion graft case.
Despite the criticism from public, Ingonga insisted his office remains committed to fighting corruption and bringing justice to light, stating that the focus is on building watertight cases rather than rushing to court with shaky evidence.
