Nairobi-based lawyer Philip Murgor has stepped down from his role as public prosecutor, revealing he received no assignments or security measures despite a formal 2019 appointment.
Murgor, who previously served as director of public prosecutions, stated in a phone interview that his position remained unactivated for four months. He cited the absence of case assignments and insufficient security as key factors in his decision, noting the role had become financially unsustainable.
The lawyer was among three special prosecutors appointed in December 2018 alongside former Mombasa mayor Taib Ali Taib and James Kihara, chairman of the Public-Private Partnerships Petition Committee. Their appointments coincided with the hiring of British lawyer Khawar Qureshi to prosecute Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu over financial misconduct allegations.
Murgor emphasized that his contract barred him from representing the DPP in any matters, yet he claimed no cases were assigned. He also criticized the lack of security for other special prosecutors with similar two-year contracts.
"The professional and financial opportunity cost has become unaffordable," Murgor said. He expressed openness to returning under terms matching colleagues like Qureshi, who work on a case-by-case basis with proper security.
The DPP’s office has not responded to requests for comment. Murgor noted that while DPP Noordin Haji and Deputy Director George Kinoti are personally likable, the institutional framework failed to support senior advocates in such roles.
