Lawyer Okiya Omtata has revealed what he suspects to be the underlying problem at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Speaking during an evening show at KTN, the lawyer stated that the institution was running into problems as it was heavily understaffed and that the slim staff at the DCI were grossly unqualified.
Additionally, Omtata also underscored the need to delink the DCI and the police, stating that the institution should be autonomous from the Kenya Police Service.
Currently, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is embroiled in sibling rivalry with the DCI.
The wars were occasioned by blame games that emerged that the DPP was fielding weak cases against suspects brought to court by the DCI.
Omtata: There is a structure of problems that both the DPP and the DCI face. We need specialization in the DCI.T hey are not a policing unit. #TheBigStory https://t.co/oDiC6wLzoC pic.twitter.com/9VU6JY3whw
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) March 4, 2020
On its part, the DPP blamed the DCI of conducting shoddy investigations that could not lead to convictions, thus hampering their image.
The rivalry hit fever-pitch on Monday when DCI arrested and brought Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Mr Manduku to Court and the DPP aided his release.
The Senate Justice & Legal Affairs Committee has since summoned DCI George Kinoti and Noordin Haji over the strained working relationship.
The Committee’s Chair Senator Samson Cherargei maintains the rivalry could hamper the fight against graft.
The duo is set to appear before the committee on March 25.
Philip Murgor: Mr Kinoti was out of order. It is not his role to prefer a charge. He was forcing the DPP to prefer a charge and that is abuse of office.#TheBigStory @SophiaWanuna https://t.co/oDiC6wLzoC pic.twitter.com/QAeeEGHcH5
— KTN News Alerts (@KTNNewsKE) March 4, 2020