By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 11 December 2025 - A sweeping reshuffle by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, signals one of the most extensive internal reorganisations in recent years, touching every cadre within the Office of the DPP and reflecting an apparent strategy to tighten oversight, strengthen regional command, and elevate specialised prosecution units.
The changes place seasoned prosecutors at the helm of critical divisions, suggesting an effort to align leadership with emerging national priorities such as financial crimes, terrorism, international cooperation, and high-stakes appeals.
At the centre of the restructuring is the appointment of Senior Assistant DPP Irene Maina as Chief of Staff, a move that positions her to coordinate operations and manage the ODPP’s expanding partnerships and stakeholder relations.
In a complementary shift, Laura Ambe takes charge of Public Affairs and Protocol, a division central to shaping the ODPP’s institutional messaging at a time of heightened public interest in prosecutorial decisions.
Specialised crime and transnational justice feature heavily in the reshuffle. Senior Assistant DPP Catherine Mwaniki has been recalled from Kisumu to lead the Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance and International Cooperation Division, underscoring the ODPP’s increasing engagement with cross-border criminal matters.
Assistant DPP Annete Wangia and Assistant DPP Alex Anyangu, both previously in the Anti-Corruption Division, now head the Banning, Tax and Financial Crimes Division and the Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Division respectively — appointments that point to intensifying focus on financial integrity cases and asset recovery.
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Other key technical units have also been reinforced. Victor Juma Owiti takes over the Civil Litigation Unit, while ADPP Allen Mumia is promoted to lead the JKIA and Counter-Terrorism Division, signalling continuity at a high-risk national security post. Senior Assistant DPP Peter Kipkorir now heads the Piracy and Maritime Section in Mombasa, reflecting the strategic significance of maritime crime to national security. James Machira Ngunju assumes leadership of the Kahawa Law Courts ODPP team, a critical station handling terrorism and high-profile cases.
The Appeals and constitutional litigation landscape has also been rearranged. SADPP Bonny Okemwa shifts from North Eastern to the Supreme Court and Appeals Division, while DPP Alexander Yamina moves from appeals to head the Constitutional Petitions and Judicial Review Division. Job Mulati will lead the Judicial Review Section, stabilising a unit central to oversight of executive action.
Regional command structures have similarly been overhauled. SADPP Edgar Mulamula becomes Regional Head of North Eastern, SADPP Zachary Omwega moves to lead the Eastern Region from Embu, and SADPP Jane Maari is promoted to head the Central Region based in Nyeri.
Daniel Karuri takes over the Nyanza Region from Kisumu, while Juliet Bisienei becomes deputy head in the same region. SADPP Violet Kerubo assumes the role of deputy head of the Regional and County Prosecution Services Division.
Collectively, the reshuffle reflects a recalibration of prosecutorial power centres, with strengthened leadership at headquarters, clearer regional command, and elevated focus on economic, transnational, and security-sensitive crime — a restructuring likely to shape the ODPP’s operational posture in the coming year.
