Ruto Nominates Female Attorney General & EAC CS

If approved after vetting by the National Assembly, she will replace Justin Muturi, the former National Assembly Speaker and Attorney General, and make history as the country's first female Attorney General.

Ruto Nominates Female Attorney General & EAC CS
President William Ruto speaks at State House, Nairobi on Friday, July 19, 2024. /PCS

President William Ruto has nominated Dorcas Odour for the position of Attorney General.

If approved after vetting by the National Assembly, she will replace Justin Muturi, the former National Assembly Speaker and Attorney General, and make history as the country's first female Attorney General.

Before Muturi, past Attorney Generals since Kenya gained independence in 1963 were all men and they included Charles Mugane Njonjo (1963–1979), James B. Karugu (1980–1981), Joseph Kamere (1981–1983), Matthew Guy Muli (1983–1991), Amos Wako (1991–2011), Githu Muigai (2011–2018) and Paul Kihara Kariuki (2018–2022).

Dorcas Oduor Profile

Senior Counsel Dorcas Oduor has vast legal experience spanning over 30 years of practice within the public sector.

Attorney General nominee Dorcas Oduor. /FILE

"In her long and distinguished career as a jurist who has contributed immensely to the development of law in Kenya through litigation, draughtsman, and legal advisories; Senior Counsel Oduor has demonstrated unimpeachable integrity, impressive professional competence and steadfast commitment to the rule of law. If approved by the National Assembly, Dorcas Agik Oduor will become our nation's first female Attorney-General," a communique by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei read in part.

The AG Nominee was admitted to the bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 1992, having attained her Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL. B) in 1990 and a postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law in 1991.

Oduor is currently serving as Secretary of Public Prosecutions within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Her nomination comes hardly two weeks after President Ruto nominated the former Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano to the same position before being reshuffled to the Tourism docket.

Beatrice Askul Moe Profile

At the same time, President Ruto nominated Beatrice Askul Moe as the Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community (EAC).

Askul is a Social Scientist and a Consultant, having previously served as the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Water, Irrigation, Agriculture and Land Reclamation in Turkana County Government.

She has previously served as a Director of the Rift Valley Water Services Board, Chairperson Technical Committee of the Rift Valley Water Services Board, Chairperson Audit Committee of the Rift Valley Water Services Board, Project Officer of AMREF Kenya Turkana Project and Relief Officer for the Oxfam Turkana Relief Program.

The CS nominee has specialized skills in the development and management of community affairs, towards behavioural and social change in communities. 

She has also undertaken various certifications and pieces of training including a County Induction Course at Kenya School Government (Turkana County Government); Corporate Governance Course (CGC) while serving as a member of Rift Valley Water Services Board; Training on Audit Committees by KCA University (Institute for Capacity Development; Training of Trainers (TOT) Course for Community-based development by AMREF Kenya; and Training in Methodologies for Conducting Baseline Assessment Survey for Food Security and Nutrition Improvement Project Turkana.

Askul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences (Social Work) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Governance and Ethics.

"His Excellency the President has transmitted the nominations for appointment to Cabinet to the National Assembly for consideration and approval in fulfilment of the legal requirements set out under our nation's supreme law," added Koskei.

President William Ruto assents to the Appropriations Bill 2024 at State House, Nairobi on June 28, 2024. /PCS