I’m not at war with Tobiko, says Githu

Attorney-General Githu Muigai. Mr. Muigai Sunday denied reports of a rift between his office and that of Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko over who should be in charge of extradition cases. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Prof Muigai told the Nation that his relationship with Mr Tobiko remains friendly, professional and that the two have been collaborating on a number of issues related to the law.

Attorney-General Githu Muigai Sunday denied reports of a rift between his office and that of Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko over who should be in charge of extradition cases.

Prof Muigai told the Nation that his relationship with Mr Tobiko remains friendly, professional and that the two have been collaborating on a number of issues related to the law.

“My working relationship with the DPP is professional and cordial and we have been working together very well,” he said when contacted over proposed changes to the law.

“As late as Saturday, we have been holding meetings on how well our offices can work together in view of changes to the Constitution separating our two offices.”

Prof Muigai was responding to a Sunday Nation report in which Mr Tobiko protested he AG’s attempts to water down his powers over extradition cases.

Mr Tobiko has written a letter to the Leader of Majority Adan Duale to demand that certain clauses in the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill 2013 be deleted because they deprive his office of authority to handle extradition proceedings.

In proposals included in the controversial Bill which is before Parliament, Prof Muigai has sought to remove the management of extraditions from the office of the DPP. This move may end up freeing fugitives such as Yagnesh Devani who Kenyan authorities want to answer over the multi-billion Triton fuel scandal.

The Law Society of Kenya had accused the AG of mischief in trying to clip the DPP’s powers over extradition cases.

“Those changes as proposed are mischievous and go against the constitutional provisions. We will write to Parliament to express our objection,” LSK boss Eric Mutua told the Nation.