Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, joined other key stakeholders at the Nation Leadership Forum: Decision 2027 at the University of Nairobi, where he assured Kenyans that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is adequately prepared to deal with electoral-related offences ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The forum, held exactly one year to the next General Election, brought together key players in the electoral and governance space to discuss the theme: “Can Kenya Deliver Above-board, Credible Campaigns and Elections?”
Speaking during the forum, DPP Ingonga explained that the Office has established a fully-fledged division dedicated to handling electoral-related offences, supported by specially trained prosecutors to ensure timely and effective prosecution of offences committed during the electoral period.
The DPP warned individuals who may seek to disrupt the electoral process through violence, hate speech, cybercrime, intimidation or other criminal activities that they would face the full force of the law.
He, however, noted that prosecuting some hate speech offences, particularly those committed through digital platforms, presents challenges because investigators may require access to digital evidence and confirmation from service providers, many of whom are based outside Kenya.
DPP Ingonga assured Kenyans that the Office would work closely with other stakeholders, including investigative agencies, to ensure that the 2027 elections are conducted in a peaceful environment and that electoral offenders are held accountable.
He further emphasized that the law would be applied fairly and without discrimination, noting that prosecution decisions are made independently and on the basis of evidence presented before the Office.
The DPP was joined at the forum by National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, National Cohesion and Integration Commission Chairperson Bishop Kepha Omae, Nation Media Group CEO Geoffrey Odundo, Editorial Director Joe Ageyo, University of Nairobi students, activists, among other stakeholders.
