By Dorothy Musyoka
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Renson Ingonga, OGW, recently hosted H.E. Dr. Roberto Natali, the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, and his delegation at a meeting aimed at exploring potential areas of collaboration between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and Italy’s Prosecutor General’s Office under the Supreme Court of Cassation.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation to tackle transnational organized crimes, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering. Given the complexity and global nature of these crimes, both parties acknowledged the need for strengthened mutual legal assistance and international cooperation, particularly for extradition purposes.
To formalize this collaboration, the ODPP and Italy’s Prosecutor General’s Office agreed to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will serve as a framework for cooperation in the administration of justice in criminal matters and the upholding of human rights..
The meeting also underscored the importance of specialized training and capacity building for prosecutors. Both parties emphasized the need to equip prosecutors with advanced skills to enhance investigations and promote better information sharing among law enforcement agencies. This collaborative approach will help in effectively addressing complex criminal cases and ensuring swift justice.
“To advance this, both parties agreed on establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve the administration of justice in criminal matters and uphold human rights. They also emphasized on the need for specialized training and capacity building for prosecutors to advance their skills, enhance investigations, and promote better information sharing among law enforcement agencies,” noted the ODPP.
H.E. Dr. Roberto Natali expressed Italy’s commitment to fostering closer ties with the ODPP in addressing transnational organized crime. He highlighted Italy’s willingness to support capacity-building initiatives that would benefit prosecutors and investigators, enhancing their ability to combat crime at both the national and international levels.
The proposed MoU is expected to pave the way for more structured engagements and knowledge exchange between the two nations. It will further facilitate cooperation on cross-border criminal matters, including the sharing of best practices and expertise, ultimately leading to a more robust and effective justice system.