The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has reiterated its commitment to support families of victims of enforced disappearances and ensuring accountability in line with the Constitution.
Principal Public Prosecution Counsel, Keya Ombele, said the ODPP remains a critical pillar in Kenya’s justice system, tasked with safeguarding the rights of all citizens and ensuring that justice is dispensed without fear or favour.
“It is within our mandate to ensure that justice is served in equal measure. We are ambassadors of justice to all Kenyans,” Ombele said, adding that the ODPP is a people-centred institution that continues to prioritise justice for victims and their families.
She was speaking in Mombasa during a community dialogue organised by human rights defenders to address the plight of families affected by enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
Ombele highlighted the importance of collaboration between state agencies, civil society organisations, and communities in addressing these human rights violations.
She noted that while the ODPP does not conduct investigations, it plays a vital role in reviewing evidence presented by investigative bodies and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable in court.
The forum brought together a wide range of human rights organisations, including Missing Voices, Amnesty International, the Defenders Coalition, Haki Africa, and Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI).
Independent government oversight bodies such as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) also participated.
The meeting provided a platform for families of victims to share their experiences and to call for stronger accountability mechanisms to end impunity surrounding enforced disappearances.
Human rights groups at the event welcomed ODPP’s commitment, stressing that sustained collaboration between institutions and civil society was essential in securing justice for victims and preventing future violations.
Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings have remained a persistent concern in Kenya, with activists and oversight bodies consistently calling for greater transparency, accountability, and protection of fundamental human rights.
The ODPP’s pledge, Ombele said, reaffirms the institution’s resolve to use its constitutional mandate to stand with victims, prosecute offenders, and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
By Chari Suche
