CJ Mutunga calls for review of prosecutors’ pay

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has called for harmonised pay for state counsels and police prosecutors.

The CJ said Tuesday the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) cannot retain staff due to low budgetary allocations.

He called on members of the National Council on Administration of Justice (NCAJ) to submit joint proposals to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission for a review of their staff pay.

“We should submit joint proposals to Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and make a strong case for harmonised pay for harmonised work,” Dr Mutunga said.

The CJ said low budgetary allocation to Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko’s office has also affected recruitment of best professionals.

“Perennial low budgetary allocation to DPP translates to unattractive terms that affect ability of ODPP to recruit and retain best professionals,” he said.

Dr Mutunga said ODPP has received Sh3.08 billion in the last two years against Sh9.77 billion it requested.

NCAJ itself got Sh20 million instead of Sh680 million, he said.

“Prolonging this trend presents a very real danger to the rights and freedoms of Kenyans,” he said

He said Mr Tobiko's office has 50 per cent staff shortage but has managed to extend services to 41 out of 47 counties.

“The impact of this deficit is not confined to the overworked staff of ODPP but to the entire justice chain because it results in excessive delays in the conclusion of cases therefore weakening the justice system," he said.

CJ Mutunga made the remarks when he opened the annual National Prosecution Service Convention at Kenya School of Government in Nairobi.