Four petitioners, including two foreign nationals, have filed a complaint with the Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking the removal of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Igonga over alleged misconduct.
The petitioners also want disciplinary action against several ODPP officials whom they accuse of mishandling their criminal case.
Petitioners accuse DPP Renson Igonga of misconduct
The petitioners are Josephine Chirondo Ndune, Ekra Wambui Ndung’u, Davies Lawrence Bennett and Farah Akbar.
Through Ngugi Mwaniki and Company Advocates, they told the Public Service Commission that they had previously raised their concerns with Igonga.
However, they claim that the DPP failed to respond to several letters concerning the conduct of officers handling their case.
“The concerns of the petitioners, two of whom are American and Pakistan nationals respectively, were addressed to the office of the ODPP on March 19, 2025 and March 20, 2025 respectively with no response. Another reminder letter was addressed to the ODPP on April 7 and was also ignored,” the petitioners stated.
Complaint linked to Shanzu criminal case
The complaint relates to Criminal Case Number E144 of 2022 at the Shanzu Law Courts.
The petitioners accuse the ODPP and several of its officers of promoting injustice through the manner in which they handled the case.
The petitioners have since faced criminal charges at the Shanzu Law Courts and remain out on cash bail.
Bennett and Akbar are American and Pakistani nationals respectively.
Foreign nationals allege violation of legal rights
The petitioners claim that police arrested and detained them on the night of February 12 at Bamburi Police Station.
They allege that the arresting officer, identified only as Mr Kinyua, prevented them from accessing legal representation.
They have therefore asked the PSC to consider their constitutional rights under Article 50, which guarantees the right to a fair trial.
“All the petitioners are entitled to Article 50 of the Constitution, which guarantees a fair trial. The petitioners’ rights under the Constitution include the right to legal representation,” they stated.
They also claim that the prosecution should have informed them of the evidence it intended to rely on during the trial.
Petitioners raise embassy notification concerns
The petitioners further told the PSC that officers handling their case failed to notify the relevant embassies about the arrests of the foreign nationals.
They stated that the American and Pakistani nationals work with ELMWOOD Leadership Alliance (EFLA), an organisation involved in continued professional development and CPD recognition awards.
The petitioners also raised concerns about the health of one of the foreign nationals, whom they said is diabetic.
They argue that authorities violated his rights during the arrest and subsequent proceedings.
Petitioners seek removal of DPP and officers
The four petitioners want the PSC to investigate Igonga and other ODPP officials named in their complaint.
They have also called for the removal of the officers over what they describe as misconduct and multiple breaches in the handling of their case.
State Counsel Evelene Keya, who is in charge of the Shanzu courts, is among the officials named in the complaint.
The petitioners accuse her of approving the charge sheet without conducting what they consider sufficient investigations and legal research.
They have also named Mrs Satiya, Mrs Mazrui and Mr Kiprop, who they identify as the head of the ODPP in the Coastal region.
Petitioners demand action against ODPP officials
The petitioners argue that public officers must maintain integrity while exercising their official duties.
“The state officers are supposed to uphold integrity and not in any way to demean the office they hold. It is the humble petition that the ODPP has violated the clear provisions in the Constitution and ought to be removed from office on account of gross misconduct,” the petitioners stated.
