NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya marked a historic day on Thursday as Dorcas Oduor was inaugurated as the country’s first female Attorney General.
The ceremony, held at Sheria House and presided over by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, symbolized a significant leap forward for the nation’s legal landscape.
CS Muturi, reflecting on his tenure, highlighted key reforms, including the relocation of State Counsel officers to Pension Towers—a move aimed at enhancing efficiency within the justice system.
Muturi expressed confidence in Oduor’s ability to carry these reforms forward, stating, “Introducing a modern management system was crucial, and I am certain that AG Oduor will see this through effectively.”
Muturi also applauded the recent efforts to delink the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) from other governmental functions, a strategy designed to streamline operations and improve service delivery.
He particularly praised the often-overlooked Civil Litigation Department for their crucial work in saving the government from significant financial losses, calling them “the unsung heroes of our legal system.”
In her inaugural address, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor laid out her ambitious plans for further modernization of Kenya’s legal framework.
Central to her vision is the digitization of the Probate and Administration Department, with the goal of completing the digital archiving of records within two weeks.
“Our next step will be digitizing marriage records to improve public accessibility,” Oduor announced, signaling a new era of efficiency and transparency.
Oduor also introduced the Sheria Space initiative, a weekly series designed to foster legal dialogue and community engagement. Former AG Muturi is set to be the first guest in this series next Wednesday, highlighting the continuity and evolution of Kenya’s legal leadership.
Beyond modernization, Oduor emphasized the importance of community engagement and accessibility to legal services.
She urged Heads of Departments to actively participate in upcoming Open Days, which will offer free legal aid and address existing case backlogs.
This initiative reflects Oduor’s commitment to making the legal system more approachable and responsive to the public’s needs.
As CS Muturi acknowledged Oduor’s vision, he also emphasized the need to support the dedicated staff who have shown remarkable resilience, some remaining in their positions for over a year despite challenging circumstances.
“We must recognize the staff who have shown commitment and resilience,” he noted, underscoring the importance of a strong and dedicated workforce in driving the legal system forward.
