This archive report was first published on 5 January 2020.
On January 5, 2020, a dramatic scene unfolded at Kilungu Law Courts, prompting swift action from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji.
A court officer appeared in court, grabbed files and charge sheets, and left, causing chaos and panic among litigants and members of the public.
According to reports, Mark Wangia, a prosecutor in the court, was allegedly drunk and paralyzed court proceedings before Senior Resident Magistrate Elizabeth Muiru.
Responding to the incident, DPP Haji deployed another prosecutor to the Kilungu Law Courts to ensure continuity of justice.
He also directed the ODPP's Internal Compliance Unit and Nairobi Regional Head to investigate Wangia's conduct and submit a report within seven days.
"The investigation report is to be submitted to the DPP within 7 days. In the meantime, a prosecutor has been deployed to the Kilungu Law Courts," Haji stated.
Notably, Haji emphasized that he is the only person authorized by the Constitution to appoint a prosecutor, following reports that a Makueni magistrate had assigned a police officer to the position of a prosecutor after Wangia failed to show up for work on January 23 and 24.
