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{
    "id": 21765,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/21765/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 62,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Prof. Muigai",
    "speaker_title": "The Attorney-General",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 408,
        "legal_name": "Githu Muigai",
        "slug": "githu-muigai"
    },
    "content": " Thank you very much Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir. I want to apologize for coming into the Chamber late. I was trying to familiarize myself with the geography of the House. However, I beg to reply. (a) The Attorney-General is aware that Mr. Joel Mbugua has been in remand at the Industrial Area Prison for the last one year and two months. He was charged with Criminal Case No.4199 of 2010 with the offence of obtaining money by false pretence. He was granted bail but was unable to raise the bail amount despite the court varying the amount. (b) The Attorney-General is also aware that the case has been adjourned several times for many different reasons, which include the disappearance of the first accused, the co-accused to Mr. Mbugua who is, at the moment, on bond. There has also been failure to produce the second accused in court by the prison authorities. On a number of occasions, the prosecution was unable to proceed with the hearings for various reasons. (c) Under the current constitutional dispensation, the Constitution has created an autonomous independent office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Since the current Director took office, the responsibilities hitherto vested in the Attorney-General are vested in him. I am aware that between him and the Chief Justice, there is a major effort to reform the criminal justice system including, and not limited to, addressing the question of delays in the finalization of cases. I would like to assure this House that my office takes very seriously the issue of availing expeditious justice to persons charged before our courts. I intend, at the very earliest opportunity, to put in place an effective comprehensive Legal Aid Programme that would assist citizens in the circumstances of Mr. Joel Mbugua."
}