By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Thursday 11th July, 2024 graced a program for justice actors organized by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) in Nakuru.
Counsel James Kihara participated in the program that emphasized a rights-based strategy for advocating and safeguarding the rights of refugees and host communities.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the program was designed to advance the rights of refugees and host communities, particularly within the justice system.
“The training encompassed various approaches to promoting and protecting the rights of refugees and host communities, including; implementing sustainable solutions, Ensuring access to justice for vulnerable victims and Bridging gaps to guarantee refugees’ access to justice,” Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions wrote on X.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was accorded the opportunity to highlight their handling of refugee matters and explain the alternative dispute resolution approaches they employ.
Mr. Kihara stressed the importance of plea bargaining, diversion and guidelines on the decision to charge in the search for justice.
The initiative also addressed several challenges faced by refugees in obtaining legal assistance, such as the issuance of bonds, legal documentation requirements, understanding documents recognized by the court from refugees, and differentiating the legal status of refugees in the country, whether sponsored or present for studies.
In the event dignitaries from different departments were represented including the Department of Refugee Services, the Ministry of Interior, KHRC, the Refugee Consortium of Kenya, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Deputy County Commander Nakuru, South Sudanese, and various NGOs within Nakuru County.