Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has urged law students to build their careers on integrity, professionalism and a commitment to serving the public, warning that legal practice requires continuous learning and high ethical standards.
Ingonga said aspiring lawyers should look beyond financial gains and prestigious positions and recognise their responsibility to use the law to promote justice and protect the interests of society.
Speaking during a public lecture at Africa Nazarene University, the DPP challenged students to consider public service as a rewarding career path, saying the legal profession offered opportunities to make a lasting difference in people's lives.
The lecture, themed "A Lawyer's Journey in Public Service", brought together law students from Africa Nazarene University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenyatta University and other institutions.
Ingonga drew on his own career to show how commitment, professional discipline and willingness to serve in different capacities can shape a successful legal career.
He recounted his progression from private legal practice at a law firm in Kakamega to the Ministry of Lands, before joining the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), where he rose through various positions before being appointed to head the institution in 2023.
He told the students that success in the legal profession demands more than academic qualifications. He urged them to invest in mentorship, practical experience and regular professional development to remain relevant in an increasingly dynamic legal environment.
The DPP also highlighted the importance of independence in prosecutorial decision-making, citing Article 157 of the Constitution, which safeguards the autonomy of the ODPP. He explained that prosecution decisions must be based on evidence, public interest and the administration of justice, and not on external pressure or personal interests.
Ingonga challenged the students to embrace servant leadership, saying effective leaders should be judged by their contribution to institutions and society and not by the positions they occupy. He urged them to appreciate the human dimension of legal practice, noting that integrity, impartiality, thorough preparation and sensitivity to the circumstances surrounding individual cases are essential to delivering justice.
The DPP encouraged the students to seek practical exposure through the ODPP's pupillage, internship and attachment programmes, saying such opportunities would help bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.
He reminded the future lawyers that, whether they pursue private practice, academia or public service, their work should remain guided by the public interest and the constitutional principles of justice.
The lecture ended with an interactive session in which students engaged Ingonga on criminal law, prosecution and the administration of justice.
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