Dorcas Oduor assumes office as Kenya's first female Attorney General, unveils reform agenda

Dorcas Oduor has officially taken office as Kenya's new Attorney General, succeeding Justin Muturi, who now serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Delivery.

In her inaugural speech at Sheria House, Oduor outlined a comprehensive reform plan focused on improving the rule of law and modernising the operations within the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

One of the primary issues Oduor aims to address is the backlog in the Department of Public Trustees. To tackle this, she announced the introduction of new working days and public engagement sessions.

Beginning next Saturday, the OAG will hold Open Days every Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm. During these sessions, free legal aid will be provided to the public. This initiative targets the resolution of long-standing cases and other issues that have accumulated over time. "From next Saturday, we will be giving free legal aid. It will be an open day with the Department of Public Trustee," she said.

In addition to the Open Days, Oduor introduced a new initiative called "Sheria Space." This weekly forum will begin next Wednesday and will run from 4 pm to 5 pm. The purpose of Sheria Space is to provide the public with an opportunity to interact directly with the heads of various departments within the OAG.

This interaction is intended to foster better understanding between the public and their legal representatives and to allow for dialogue on expectations and service delivery.

We will show Kenyans our heads of departments and what we do. We will listen to them and dialogue, what they expect of us and what we will do. We hope all Kenyans will join us," she noted.

Oduor also announced plans to digitise crucial public records as part of her modernisation agenda. Within the next two weeks, the Probate and Administration Department will complete the digitisation of all its records. This move is expected to make these records more accessible to the public.

Following the digitisation of probate records, marriage records will also be digitised, further streamlining public access to essential legal documents.

Solicitor General Shadrack Mose, along with other senior officials, was present during Oduor's inauguration ceremony. Oduor extended an invitation to her predecessor, Justin Muturi, to be the inaugural guest at the first Sheria Space event.

Muturi, in his remarks, spoke highly of Oduor's experience and leadership. He emphasised the importance of continued support for the State Law Office, particularly in preparing for and representing the government in court cases.

"It is a very fitting appointment that I am handing over to somebody that I have so much confidence in, who I kept consulting even during the fights that came from the Public Service Commission and many quotas," he said.

Muturi highlighted the critical role of the Civil Litigation Department, which he noted is often unrecognised despite its significant contributions. He pointed out that, during his tenure, the OAG successfully handled 1,588 cases, losing only 83.

He acknowledged that while the OAG faces public criticism over cases lost in court, these numbers reflect the department's effectiveness in saving the government from substantial financial losses.

Muturi also urged Oduor to prioritise the promotion of long-serving staff members who have been overlooked for advancement. He argued that such promotions are essential for maintaining morale and ensuring effective service delivery within the OAG.

As Kenya's first female Attorney General, Dorcas Oduor faces high expectations to build on the reforms initiated by her predecessor. Her focus on modernising operations and enhancing public engagement is expected to strengthen Kenya's legal framework.