The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has been blamed for the backlog of murder cases pending at the High Court in Nakuru.
In a complaint letter dated October 29, addressed to the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Divisional Criminal Investigation Officer (DCIO) office, Lady Justice Maureen Odero decried slow decision making process at the DPP's office.
According to Odero the prosecution constantly fails to secure witnesses attendance at murder trials leading to delays in the conclusion of old cases.
"The office of DPP should streamline operations to avail witnesses and case files in court when needed as delays by the prosecution are causing suffering to suspects who are in remand," she said.
Judge Odero said she will no longer grant adjournments where prosecution fails to avail witnesses in court. She raised concern that litigants and remandees at the Nakuru GK Prison have also raised concerns over the issue saying their cases have taken too long to be determined.
“They are complaining that they will be forced to spend more time in prison waiting for the hearing and determination of their cases which are still pending at the law courts,” she said.