Mombasa – In a rare show of unity, top institutions within Kenya’s criminal justice system gathered in Mombasa this week to confront a common challenge: how to speak with one voice in a deeply fragmented system.
The high-level meeting, held behind closed doors in the coastal city, brought together communication heads from key state agencies among them the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.
Also present were representatives from the National Police Service Commission, the Ministry of Interior, the Internal Affairs Unit, and the Witness Protection Agency all critical to law enforcement and justice in the country.
The aim, officials said, was to iron out longstanding communication breakdowns that have often led to conflicting public messages, mistrust, and confusion during major investigations or prosecutions.
Breaking the Silence Between Agencies
“This isn’t just another talk shop,” said one senior official familiar with the talks, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the discussions. “For far too long, each agency has operated in silos. That has to change.”
The meeting, which was supported by the International Justice Mission, focused on identifying gaps in coordination and sharing strategies to address challenges that often derail high-profile cases or spark public outrage.
According to a statement from the National Police Service Commission, the delegates reviewed outcomes of previous retreats and analysed how current media strategies have impacted public trust in the justice system.
Officials also laid bare the operational difficulties they face from delays in information flow to overlapping mandates and explored “practical, sustainable” solutions.
The forum was seen by insiders as a step toward more transparency and improved cooperation between the agencies that often find themselves under public scrutiny after botched investigations, excessive use of force, or delayed prosecutions.
Shared Responsibility, Shared Accountability
The involvement of the International Justice Mission a long-time advocate for justice sector reforms was a reminder of how much global attention now rests on Kenya’s ability to clean up its justice system.
A spokesperson for IJM, speaking on the sidelines, said the organisation hoped that by helping facilitate such conversations, it could “amplify the capacity for institutional accountability” in a system where victims often feel unheard.
While the outcomes of the Mombasa forum are yet to be officially released, participants agreed on one thing: without clear communication and internal coordination, efforts to reform the justice sector may stall once again.
Another follow-up meeting is expected later in the year. Until then, the public weary of promises and slow reforms will be watching closely.
