In a major boost to justice delivery and urban governance, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has posted a resident prosecutor to the newly established Kisumu City Law Court, a move set to fast-track the prosecution of city by-law violations and ease case backlogs.
The deployment was announced on Tuesday by Nyanza Regional Coordinator Mr. Daniel Karuri during a courtesy call to the court, where he underscored the critical role of swift and efficient justice in maintaining law and order in Kenya’s third-largest city.
“The posting of a resident prosecutor demonstrates our dedication to maintaining law and order in Kisumu City and ensuring that justice is dispensed swiftly,” Mr. Karuri said.
With the resident prosecutor now in place, the Kisumu City Law Court is expected to operate at full capacity, significantly reducing delays in handling cases related to municipal regulations. Already, the court has made early strides: eight case files have been processed, and summons issued to accused persons to appear before the court without delay.
The move is expected to dramatically improve the handling of cases involving city by-law violations, reinforce accountability, and send a clear signal that flouting municipal regulations will no longer go unchecked.
Mr. Karuri expressed optimism that the presence of a resident prosecutor will lead to record-time determination of city-related cases, helping decongest the justice system while enhancing public confidence in law enforcement and prosecution.
“This is a practical step toward responsive justice that matches the pace and complexity of urban life,” he noted.
The ODPP delegation was warmly received by Ms. Tabitha Oduor, Head of Kisumu City’s Legal Department, and Mr. Samwel Orimba, Deputy Head of the City Inspectorate. The two officials hailed the posting as a milestone in Kisumu’s pursuit of efficient justice delivery and orderly urban management.
As Kisumu continues to expand as a regional commercial hub, the strengthened collaboration between the ODPP, the judiciary, and city authorities is expected to play a pivotal role in promoting rule of law, compliance with city by-laws, and a safer, more orderly urban environment.
