President Kibaki advertises for post of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

President Kibaki

On Thursday President Kibaki  advertised for the position of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

And the new DPP would have to meet high qualifications, including having at least 10 years’ experience as a superior court judge, professionally qualified magistrate, distinguished academic or law practitioner.

Further, the DPP should hold a law degree from a recognized university, or be an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, or possess an equivalent qualification in a common-law jurisdiction.

In a special issue of the Kenya Gazette, President Kibaki said an interview panel would receive and process applications, and interview and recommend at least three suitable candidates for nomination to the post.

Members of panel

Members of the panel include the Attorney-General or his representative, a representative of the Office of the President and that of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Others are a representative of the Justice ministry, two representatives from the Law Society of Kenya and one from Central Organization of Trade Unions.

The President said that the interview panel shall have the power to elect its chairperson and regulate its own procedures.

Applications should be received before March 31 by electronic mail at dppapplications@kenya.go.ke or at the Public Service ministry, Harambee House, 10th floor, in sealed envelopes. The applicants would be made public.

The DPP was one of the four top posts that were at the center of a nomination row between President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga last month.

PM Raila Odinga

Mr Odinga triggered the controversy when, on January 29, he flew in from Addis Ababa and denounced the list of nominees announced a day before by President Kibaki to fill the positions of Chief Justice, Attorney-General, DPP and Controller of Budget.

The nominees were Mr Justice Alnashir Visram, Prof Githu Muigai, lawyer Kioko Kilukumi and Mr William Kirwa, respectively.

The PM claimed that he had not been consulted by the President.

After a protracted row, the President withdrew his list and said the CJ will be recruited by the Judicial Service Commissioner, while the DPP and the Controller of Budget would be recruited by the Public Service Commission.

The two principals would nominate the next AG.