DPP to appeal the Solai dam tragedy case ruling

Pic courtesy

Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has expressed his displeasure over today's decision by a Naivasha court to acquit nine suspects charged with causing the deaths of 48 people following the Solai dam tragedy in 2018.

Haji who appeared angry at the ruling denied that prosecutors from his office failed to turn up in court for the case hearing and said that his office will appeal the ruling. "To use the fact that one of the prosecutors wasn't there is not enough to acquit. Our records show very well that the application has not been fully heard because some of the interested parties in the case have not presented their case. We are puzzled. We've been struggling to move this case from Naivasha to Nairobi after allegations that some witnesses have been compromised. We've been very restrained but this is not tenable," he said.

Naivasha Chief Magistrate Kennedy Bidali set the nine free for lack of ‘willingness’ and support from the DPP office in prosecuting the case. Haji likened the ruling to that of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino whilst calling upon the Judiciary to protect its image.

He was speaking after opening the Kilifi Social Justice Centre in Mtwapa, Kilifi county. The centre will help address historical land injustices, police excesses, defilement and other social injustices in the community.