High expectations in search for new DPP as Haji set to exit

Deputy DPP and the Secretary of Public Prosecution Dorcas Oduor who is among those touted to take over from Haji. [File, Standard]

Deputy DPP and the Secretary of Public Prosecution Dorcas Oduor leads the senior figures at the DPP's office who are likely to take over from Haji should she declare her interest in the position.

Ms Oduor is a career prosecutor who began her journey at the Attorney General's office and was among the pioneers of the new autonomous prosecution office after it was created by the 2010 constitution.

This will however not be the first time she will be applying to be the top prosecutor having gone through the interviews in 2018 but lost to Haji who became her boss.

Other senior prosecutors who could succeed Haji are Victor Mule, Alloys Kemo who is the Deputy Director in charge of prosecution training and Emily Kamau who is in charge of the DPP's Inspectorate, Quality and Assurance.

Also on the list are Jacinta Nyamosi, the Deputy Director in charge of offences, and Grace Murungi who is the head of international and emerging crimes. Others are Mr Jacob Ondari, Mr Alexander Muteti and Mr Nicholas Mutuku.

Former Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko was the longest-serving DPP having been first appointed by President Kibaki in 2005 to become the first DPP under the 2010 constitution when he was formally appointed in 2011.

In the last recruitment in 2018, Haji emerged as the best among ten candidates who had been shortlisted by the recruiting panel.

The candidates included Ms Oduor, former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Commissioner Thomas Letangule, Nicholas Mutuku, Daniel Keiwua, James Warui, Lucy Kambuni, Jacob Ondari, Patrick Gumo and Abdulqadir Ramadhan.

According to the ODPP Act, the search for Haji's replacement will start with the president constituting a selection panel comprising of representatives from his office, the office of the Attorney General, the Public Service Commission and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

Other members of the panel will be drawn from the Law Society of Kenya, trade unions and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Once the panel is constituted, they will advertise for the position, shortlist candidates and forward three names to the president who will select one and forward it to the National Assembly for vetting and approval before making the formal appointment.