Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions

The @ODPP_KE is the National Prosecution Authority established by the Constitution (Art. 157) to independently exercise State powers of prosecution. ⚖️

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

PRESS STATEMENT

DPP APPROVES MURDER CHARGES IN UTUMISHI GIRLS ACADEMY ARSON CASE

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐰𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐨 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞

Today, the court, accompanied by parties to the case, including prosecution, investigators, and other stakeholders, conducted a scene visit to various locations within Malindi, an area at the center of one of Kenya's most tragic and complex criminal investigations into the Kwa Binzaro Massacre.

The visit aimed to enable the court to gain a firsthand understanding of the geographical layout and significance of key locations that have featured prominently in witness testimonies and evidence presented during the proceedings.

The first stop was at the Good News International Church (GNI) premise at Furunzi. This is the place where Pastor Paul Mackenzie used to conduct the church services and broadcast his teachings through TimesTv.

The church has featured prominently in the proceedings, with several witnesses testifying about teachings, gatherings, and activities that allegedly took place here before followers relocated to Shakahola.

The team also visited Pastor Mackenzie's homestead, located adjacent to the church. Witness testimony alleged that followers arriving from different parts of the country would be accommodated at the homestead before being transported to Shakahola.

The court then proceeded to several homesteads that the prosecution, through its witnesses, alleges were rented by two of the accused persons, namely Shallyne Anido, alias Ann, and Kahindi Kazungu, alias Mlewa. According to the witnesses, the houses were used to accommodate individuals who were on transit to Kwa Binzaro.

Despite challenging terrain and intermittent rainfall, the court took evidence of witnesses who claimed to have been held at the said houses for between 1 and 2 months before being taken to Kwa Binzaro.p The witness narrated how they were coerced to travel to Kwa Binzaro, where they were told they would fast to death in order to meet God.

By examining the physical environment and the relationship between the various sites, the court gained additional context to assist in understanding the evidence presented during the trial.

The chain of events explained by the witnesses and locations visited appears to portray an orchestrated operation by individuals with ulterior motives.

Click the link below to access the highlights :
https://t.co/DoVxO8oBn6

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

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[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

PRESS STATEMENT

DPP TO PROCEED WITH CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST 15 ACCUSED PERSONS AT KAHAWA LAW COURTS.

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

PRESS STATEMENT

DPP APPROVES MURDER CHARGES IN UTUMISHI GIRLS ACADEMY ARSON CASE

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐰𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐨 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞

Today, the court, accompanied by parties to the case, including prosecution, investigators, and other stakeholders, conducted a scene visit to various locations within Malindi, an area at the center of one of Kenya's most tragic and complex criminal investigations into the Kwa Binzaro Massacre.

The visit aimed to enable the court to gain a firsthand understanding of the geographical layout and significance of key locations that have featured prominently in witness testimonies and evidence presented during the proceedings.

The first stop was at the Good News International Church (GNI) premise at Furunzi. This is the place where Pastor Paul Mackenzie used to conduct the church services and broadcast his teachings through TimesTv.

The church has featured prominently in the proceedings, with several witnesses testifying about teachings, gatherings, and activities that allegedly took place here before followers relocated to Shakahola.

The team also visited Pastor Mackenzie's homestead, located adjacent to the church. Witness testimony alleged that followers arriving from different parts of the country would be accommodated at the homestead before being transported to Shakahola.

The court then proceeded to several homesteads that the prosecution, through its witnesses, alleges were rented by two of the accused persons, namely Shallyne Anido, alias Ann, and Kahindi Kazungu, alias Mlewa. According to the witnesses, the houses were used to accommodate individuals who were on transit to Kwa Binzaro.

Despite challenging terrain and intermittent rainfall, the court took evidence of witnesses who claimed to have been held at the said houses for between 1 and 2 months before being taken to Kwa Binzaro.p The witness narrated how they were coerced to travel to Kwa Binzaro, where they were told they would fast to death in order to meet God.

By examining the physical environment and the relationship between the various sites, the court gained additional context to assist in understanding the evidence presented during the trial.

The chain of events explained by the witnesses and locations visited appears to portray an orchestrated operation by individuals with ulterior motives.

Click the link below to access the highlights :
https://t.co/qEPmQBHnG1

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

𝐎𝐃𝐏𝐏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐂 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, this afternoon held a consultative meeting with Bishop David Oginde, PhD Chairperson of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and Mohamud Abdi, EBS, MBS the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, to discuss strategies for enhancing the fight against corruption and other economic crimes.

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the EACC to ensure effective investigation, prosecution, and deterrence of corruption-related offences.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to upholding integrity, accountability, and the rule of law through coordinated efforts aimed at safeguarding public resources and promoting good governance.

The engagement emphasizes the continued partnership between ODPP and EACC in advancing Kenya’s anti-corruption agenda and ensuring that perpetrators of corruption and economic crimes are brought to justice.
#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

DPP Calls for Unified Action Against Human Trafficking in the Horn of Africa

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, has called for a coordinated and unified approach to combat the increasingly sophisticated and ever-evolving syndicates involved in human trafficking across the Horn of Africa region.

Speaking during the opening of the Regional Conference on Counter-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in the Horn of Africa Region, the DPP emphasized the need for strengthened collaboration among governments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and international partners to effectively address the growing threat.

He noted that human trafficking and migrant smuggling remain serious transnational crimes that exploit vulnerable populations, undermine human rights, and pose significant challenges to security and development across the region.

“The fight against human trafficking requires a collective response that transcends borders and institutional mandates. Criminal networks are constantly adapting their methods, and our response must be equally dynamic, coordinated, and robust,” said the DPP.

The conference has brought together key stakeholders from across the Horn of Africa, including policymakers, prosecutors, investigators, migration experts, and representatives of international organizations, to discuss emerging trends, share best practices, and strengthen regional cooperation in tackling trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.

Participants are expected to deliberate on strategies aimed at enhancing prevention, improving victim protection, strengthening prosecution efforts, and fostering cross-border collaboration to dismantle criminal networks operating within and beyond the region.
#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫," 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 ��𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥

The murder trial involving Pastor Paul Mackenzie and seven co-accused persons continued today in the ongoing Kwa Binzaro massacre case, with the prosecution presenting six witnesses before the Malindi High Court.

Testifying before Hon. Lady Justice Wendy Kagendo at the Malindi High Court, Salama Masha, gave a harrowing account of how a mobile phone line registered in her name was used to make a call to Pastor Paul Mackenzie while in custody.

According to the witness, she and her family were once members of Good News International Church, which she said discouraged the use of beauty products and cosmetics and formal education as well as seeking treatment in hospitals.

Salama, who identified herself as the wife of the third accused person, Kahindi Kazungu, told the court that they lived in Shakahola "Jangwani" for 1 year, where they engaged in farming. However, she eventually left Shakahola, as she could not withstand fasting.

Salama told the court that they always had diverse opinions with the husband over the issue of fasting, especially when it came to their children, as the husband advocated for the children fasting while she opposed.

After leaving Shakahola, Salama said that she received news that her husband had died in Shakahola, but she ignored it. 2 years later, the husband returned from Shakahola but later moved to Furunzi in a rented house.

She narrated to the court how she struggled to support her husband and assist him in building his life, but she was always disappointed. She joined a Chama and used the money acquired to purchase a motorcycle for him to operate a boda boda business.

She further testified that she later acquired a mobile phone SIM card, registered it using her identity card number, and gave it to her husband for use. A decision she said later landed her in trouble.

She told the court that she was once arrested over the allegation that her phone number was used to make a call to Pastor Paul Mackenzie while in custody. According to the witness, the phone number in question was the same one she had given to her husband.

The court also heard from a 52-year-old Hamisi Abdala, the 35th prosecution witness. Mr. Hamisi narrated how the 4th accused person, Julius Tuva, converted her daughter, Nuru Hamisi, from Islamic to Christianity and disappeared with her.

He testified that he initially knew Julius Tuva as a tuk-tuk driver because he used to transport food produce from his farm for a period of 3 years.

He told the court that over time, Tuva developed an interest in marrying his daughter. As a Muslim father, he advised Tuva to convert to Islam, as required for a non-Muslim man seeking to marry a Muslim girl.

He noted that after disagreements with the issue of religion, Tuva escaped with her daughter to an unknown place, and he later learned that the two had been blessed with two children and that they were attending a Mackenzie-led church, whose name he could not remember.

After some time, he said that he heard that followers of Mackenzie, of whom he believed her daughter was one of them, had relocated to Shakahola, and some had started dying.

Armed with a photo of her daughter Nuru Hamisi, the witness travelled to Shakahola to look for her daughter but in vain.

"I am convinced that Julius Tuva knows the whereabouts of my daughter Nuru Hamisi," he told the court.

He said that he is bitter about the loss of her daughter and would wish to be shown where her daughter is.

The prosecution also called a 74-year-old, Daniel Baya, a resident of Chakama and chairman of Chakama Ranching Company since 2008, to shed light on the ownership of land around Shakahola.

Baya explained that Chakama Ranching Company was established to manage grazing activities in the area and that the company started with 50 shareholders.

Chakama Ranching Company owned 50,000 acres of land in which villages such as Shakahola, Kwa Binzaro, Ndigiria, and Bovu, among others, exist.

According to the witness, around 2021, there were reported cases of suspicious people invading the ranch on the side of Shakahola and starting settlements and farming. He added that when they visited the homestead of the invaders, they were informed that the team was led by a person by the name of Paul Mackenzie, who was a pastor.

The court heard that the company took a loan of 60 million from Aqua Agro Limited to establish a business but was unable to pay, resulting in the company being placed under receivership.

Another witness, Laymond Korir from the Office of the Official Receiver, corroborated the testimony of Mr. Daniel Baya by confirming that when the official from the office of the official receiver visited the ranch, there were pots of homesteads on the ranch.

According to Laymond, the official receiver had not disposed of any property in Chakama Ranch, and anyone buying and selling land within the ranch was doing it illegally. He confirmed that while the land belonged to Chakama Ranch Company, the property is under the control of the liquidator.

"As far as the official receiver is concerned, there are no legal settlers on the property, and the property ought to be vacant," the witness said.

The prosecution team, led by Deputy Directors of Public Prosecutions Mr. Joseph Kimanthi and Mr. Jami Yamina, alongside Principal Prosecution Counsels Mr. Victor Owiti, Ms. Betty Rubia, and Mr. Frank Sirima, will proceed with a scene of crime visit from tomorrow, 23rd June 2026.

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

PRESS STATEMENT

DPP TO PROCEED WITH CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST 15 ACCUSED PERSONS AT KAHAWA LAW COURTS.

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

Anti-Corruption cases in court this week.

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) celebrates fathers and father figures whose guidance, integrity, and sacrifice help build strong families and a just society.

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

VIDEO: Ms. Christine Gakobo engages students’ during the Kenya School of Law Career Fair 2026, highlighting the mandate of the ODPP and its role in promoting justice, accountability, and the rule of law.

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

ODPP mentors future Advocates at Kenya School of Law Career Fair

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) participated in the Kenya School of Law (KSL) 2026 Career Fair themed “The Bar Begins at the Kenya School of Law,” where students undertaking the Advocates Training Programme (ATP) received practical guidance, mentorship and career insights from distinguished legal practitioners, including prosecutors.

Ms. Christine Gakobo, OGW, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, shared her professional journey with the mentees and highlighted the diverse career opportunities available within the prosecution service. She encouraged students to pursue excellence, embrace continuous learning and explore emerging areas of legal specialization.

Drawing from her experience as a prosecutor, Ms. Gakobo noted that the ODPP offers a wide range of career pathways beyond courtroom. She explained that throughout her career she had specialized in areas such as Child Justice, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), homicide prosecutions and economic crimes, demonstrating the breadth of opportunities available within the institution.

“Within the Office of the DPP, there are various specializations, so do not think that becoming a prosecutor limits you to appearing in court only,” she said.

#HakiNaUsawa

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

Further, Ms. Gakobo informed the students that the ODPP provides opportunities for aspiring legal professionals through pupillage and employment as Prosecution Counsel upon admission to the Bar. She also highlighted the role of the Prosecution Training Institute (PTI) in building the capacity of prosecutors and nurturing the next generation of legal practitioners.

She emphasized the importance of preparing young professionals to meet the evolving demands of the legal sector, and urged the students to continuously enhance their skills and position themselves for emerging opportunities requiring specialized expertise.

The event was graced by, among other stakeholders, President of the Law Society of Kenya, Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama, as the Chief Guest. Also present was the Acting Assistant Director of KSL, Mr. Justus Munyithya, who delivered welcoming remarks on behalf of the Acting Director KSL Mr. Isaac Kuloba.

Following the panel discussions, students visited the ODPP exhibition booth where they interacted with prosecutors and gained valuable information on pupillage, internships, professional development, workplace expectations and the competencies required to excel in legal practice.

At the KSL Career Fair, the ODPP delegation was led by Ms. Christine Gakobo, OGW, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms. Grace Mwaniki, Assistant Director, Human Resource Management (ADHRM); Ms. Stella Oyagi, Principal Prosecution Counsel (PPC); Ms. Mwende Kavindu, Principal Prosecution Counsel (PPC), Ngong Law Courts; Mr. Borris Ongeto, Prosecution Counsel (PC); Mr. Stephen Ng’ang’a, Senior Administrative Officer (SAO).

[Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions @ODPP_KE]

ODPP engages public in Dialogue on Justice and Prosecution Services

The Office today joined the @IJMKenya and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system in a Community Dialogue organized by the @NPSOfficial_KE in Nairobi aimed at enhancing public understanding of the justice system and strengthening trust between citizens and justice institutions.

The forum brought together members of the public from diverse backgrounds and age groups, creating a platform for open engagement, learning and reflection on how the justice system operates and how it can better respond to the needs of citizens.

Mr. Alex Gituma, Head of ODPP Makadara in Nairobi County, explained the critical role played by the Office in safeguarding justice and upholding the rule of law. He simplified the criminal justice process, enabling wananchi to better understand the Office's responsibilities and how prosecution decisions are made.

Further, he clarified the complaint-handling mechanisms and engagement channels in the office and assured members of the public of the Office's open-door policy and commitment to accessible, responsive service delivery.

Following the plenary session, participating institutions held interactive breakout forums, allowing members of the public to engage directly with justice sector representatives in one-on-one discussions. The sessions provided an opportunity for citizens to seek clarification on legal and procedural matters affecting them.

Participants were further sensitized on the ODPP's mandate, functions and key policies, including decision-making on charging of suspects, plea bargaining and the diversion programme, which offers alternative approaches to resolving certain criminal matters.

To support continued public awareness, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials were distributed, equipping participants with reference materials to help them better navigate the criminal justice system and access justice services when needed.

#HakiNaUsawa

[International Justice Mission Kenya @IJMKenya]

Today, we joined partners across the criminal justice system and local communities in Nairobi for a police–community dialogue forum focused on strengthening relationships and building trust.
@NPSOfficial_KE @IAU_Kenya @ODPP_KE @IPOA_KE @KenyasOmbudsman