David Maraga Blames DPP Noordin Haji's Office for Dragging Graft Cases

CJ Maraga Exposes DPP Haji's Office

Mumbi Mutuko

December 17, 2018 7:39 AM

Chief Justice David Maraga blamed the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the delays in the prosecution of corruption cases in the country.

Chief Justice David Maraga

Speaking during a visit to Kamiti Maximum Prison, the CJ said that the cases have been dragging because of the DPP’s failure to present courts with key documents on time.

Missing Documents

He explained that cases start when the DPP has not obtained all the required documents which leads to adjournments to give his team more time.

CJ Maraga at Kamiti Prison Pulse Live Kenya

“When starting a case there are times when DPP [Noordin Haji] has not got all the documents but we have talked to him and told him to come to court with documents to guard against unnecessary adjournments,” Maraga stated.

Maraga’s contentions come after President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Haji blamed the Judiciary over the easy bail terms granted to corruption suspects.

Speaking during the 55th Jamhuri Day celebrations, President Kenyatta cautioned the Judiciary against giving corruption suspects an easy time with low bail terms.

Last month the DPP said that cases, where State officials were facing serious charges and continue holding office and receiving salaries, were derailing his work.

Undermining Corruption

Haji said that having corruption suspects out on bail, and worse still, allowing them to remain in office with full access to public resources, undermined the war against graft.

He cited the examples of Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and Migori Governor Okoth Obado, who are facing abuse of office and murder charges respectively.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (PSCU) Pulse Live Kenya

However, the CJ explained that he was not to be blamed for the bail terms as their determination rests with the law as contained in the Constitution and the judges and magistrates handling the cases.

Mumbi Mutuko