Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has castigated Nation Media Group over a misleading headline he termed as misleading in a news bulletin on Saturday, September 28.
In a tweet posted on the DPP's official Twitter page on Sunday, September 29, he dismissed the commentary as misleading and incorrect.
This was after NTV had reported that the DPP was faulting the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) over their delayed response in the petition against Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.
Haji, in the bulletin, had explained that his office had been notified through a letter from the JSC that DCJ Mwilu had filed a preliminary objection to their case, and his office had replied to the letter and were awaiting a response.
NTV had gone ahead to report that Haji had complied with JSC's demands and furnished them with responses and documents but was yet to hear from them weeks after.
"The true position is that the office of the Director of Public Prosecution responded to DCJ’s preliminary objections and is awaiting JSC’s response. The video clip speaks for itself," he stated.
He further elaborated that they were waiting for the JSC to give them the next step, contrary to what NTV had reported.
The JSC has been accused several times of shielding Mwilu due to her influence and position as the representative of judges in the supreme court.
The DPP had faced a huge hurdle in his case after a five-judge bench in May, 2019, quashed Mwilu's intended prosecution for reasons including the manner in which the Directorate of Criminal Investigations obtained evidence against her from the collapsed Imperial Bank Limited.
Mwilu faced a total of 13 counts, seven of which related to failing to pay about Ksh12 million stamp duty to the Kenya Revenue Authority. She allegedly committed the offences between 2013 and 2016.
Urging caution in what is reported, he sought to remind media houses to keep true to their roles and responsibilities.
"We once again call upon the media to be responsible and objective in their coverage and reporting of issues to avoid causing unnecessary anxiety," he concluded.
