The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji has withdrawn charges against three prisoners remanded at the Hindi prison in Lamu county after they agreed to plea bargain.
Haji said cases against the three were dropped by the complainants through his office plea bargaining intervention.
According to Haji, the three are among several petty cases that will be withdrawn during the ongoing Lamu Service week.
Haji says his office seeks to plea bargain and set free petty offenders in efforts to decongest the prisons. The DPP also argued that he is freeing petty offenders to create room in prisons for the 'big fish' and 'whales' locked in
On Wednesday, Lamu Chief Magistrate A.V Asiyo dropped charges against Abdirahman Shafi who had been charged with committing a felony. The suspect's criminal charge was withdrawn after the complainant and prosecution plea bargained.
Another criminal charge against Mohamed Yayah who had been charged with destroying property was also withdrawn after he reconciled with the complainant.
Yusuf Shido Farah charged with being in possession of bhang worth Sh150, agreed to plea bargain and pleaded guilty to the charge. The court set him free after he pleaded for mercy in his mitigation. Yusuf had been in remand for nine months.
The court, however, cautioned the suspect not to commit any offence within six months.
Other cases where suspects have agreed to plea bargain will be mentioned at the Lamu Magistrate Court on Thursday for directions.
The DPP says plea bargain is one of the tactics he is using to fight crime and graft. Haji alongside players in the judicial sector has pitched camp in Lamu county where he is holding community dialogue with the residents.
The DPP has assured Kenyans of his commitment to fighting corruption.