State advertises DPP vacancy to replace Keriako Tobiko

The search for Mr Keriako Tobiko’s successor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has started, with the Public Service Commission advertising the position.

Mr Tobiko was nominated Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry and vetted last week by the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments.

Mr Tobiko, who served as Commissioner of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, was appointed DPP in June 2011. He resigned on January 6 this year to take up the CS position.

POTENTIAL CANDIDATES

The PSC has now invited judges, magistrates, advocates and academic or legal experts with at least 10 years’ experience to fill the vacancy.

The holder, who will earn Sh765,188 monthly salary and other benefits, will be allowed to serve an eight-year non-renewable period.

The applicants are required to be of high moral character, integrity and impartiality, fairness, and have good temperament and good judgment both in their legal and life experiences.

Three deputy directors of public prosecutions – Mrs Dorcas Oduor, Mr Jacob Ondari and Mr Nicholas Mutuku – were expected to battle it out with other applicants to take over from their former boss, Mr Tobiko.

Mrs Odour, who is the Chief Executive Officer, has 15 years' prosecutorial experience. Mr Ondari, the Economic, International and Emerging Crimes department boss, has 13 years’ experience. Mr Mutuku, in charge of the department of Offences Against the Person, has served for 10 years.

PANEL

In separate interviews, Mrs Odour and Mr Ondari told the Nation they would apply for the position if they meet the criteria that will be set by the recruitment team.

“It depends with the criteria that will be set out by the panel,” said Mrs Odour.

According to a Gazette notice dated February 2, those appointed to the selection panel include Mr Kennedy Kihara (Office of the President), Ms Maryann Njau (Attorney-General’s office) and Ms Lilian Omollo (Ministry of Public Service).

The others are Ms Kagwiria Mbogori (Kenya National Commission on Human Rights), Ms Elizabeth Muli (Law Society of Kenya), Mr Francis Atwoli (Central Organisation of Trade Unions) and Mr Halakhe Waqo (Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission).

The panel was tasked with electing their chairperson, advertising the position, inviting applications from qualified Kenyans and shortlistling those who meet the requirements for interviews.

VETTING

After the interviews, the selection panel will be required to submit to the President three names of those who are most qualified for the position.

The President will then select one name and forward it to the National Assembly for vetting.

After vetting, the name will be sent to the president for formal appointment.

The Constitution provides that the Director of Public Prosecutions be nominated and, with the approval of the National Assembly, appointed by the President.