Attorney General (AG) nominee Dorcas Agik Oduor has declared her net worth. Dorcas Oduor was appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments on Friday, August 9, 2024.
The nominee told the committee chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula that her family’s total net worth is Ksh85 million.
According to Oduor, she submitted her family’s wealth which is made up of a land, houses and a car, because the assets have not been distributed amongst her children.
“Honorable Speaker sir my family total net worth is Ksh85,000,000. This is because since my late husband died, we have not distributed amongst my children,” said Oduor.
During her vetting, the AG nominee said that she will put her 30 years of legal experience into use to advise government to ensure it doesn’t lose cases
President William Ruto on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, announced Dorcas Oduor as the nominee for the vacant Attorney General position.
Dorcas Oduor nominated
In a statement, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said that President Ruto nominated Oduor to take over from the Ministry of Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Justin Muturi, who was dismissed from the position when the Head of State dissolved Cabinet.
“The presidential nominations as transmitted to Parliament pertain to the position of the Attorney-General and the existing vacancy at the rank of Cabinet Secretary. In that regard, it is notified that the Head of State and Government has nominated Ms. Dorcas Agik Oduor, SC, EBS, OGW, for appointment to the position of the Attorney-General of the Republic of Kenya,” read part of the statement.
The Attorney General nominee is a Senior Counsel who has vast legal experience spanning over thirty years of practice within the public sector.
Prior to her nomination, Oduor held the role of Secretary and Head of Economic, International and Emerging Crimes at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) where she has also served as the deputy Director Public Prosecutions (DPP).
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A career Prosecution Counsel, Dorcas Oduor has previously served in the Public Prosecutions space for more than 12 years having begun her career as a State Counsel in 1991.
Career
The Senior Counsel was admitted to the bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in 1992, after attaining her postgraduate Law Diploma from the Kenya School of Law in 1991.
Oduor holds a master’s degree in international Conflict Management and a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL. B) from the University of Nairobi (UoN) where she graduated in 1990.
She has been a member in various agencies/commissions including as Chair of the Board on Criminal Psychiatrics (on behalf of the Attorney General) and Chairperson of the Board of Review on Mentally Insane (Criminal Psychiatric),
Dorcas Oduor has also served as Assisting Counsel in the Akiwumi Commission on Land Clashes, Assisting Counsel in the Bosire Commission on the Goldenberg Affair and Assisting Counsel in the Kiruki Commission on Artur Brothers.
Also Read: Dorcas Oduor: Who is the New Attorney General Nominee?
The AG nominee has in the past assumed the roles of Joint Secretary of the Police Reform Commission, (Ransley Commission) and Member of the National Task Force on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.
If approved by the National Assembly, Dorcas Oduor will become the nation’s first female Attorney-General.
Attorney General’s Role
The role AG in Kenya is critical and multifaceted, making it one of the most influential positions in the government
The AG serves as the principal legal adviser to the government, representing the national government in all legal proceedings except criminal cases.
This includes advising government ministries, departments, constitutional commissions, and state corporations on legislative and legal matters.
The AG’s duties extend to promoting the rule of law, protecting human rights, and ensuring good governance.
Additionally, the AG is responsible for negotiating, drafting, vetting, and interpreting local and international agreements and treaties on behalf of the government.
An Attorney General has the power to appear in any court proceedings involving the government and can summon public officers to provide information relevant to legal inquiries.
The AG’s office also oversees the administration of justice, anti-corruption strategies, and the regulation of the legal profession.
Oduor Thanks Ruto
Upon her nomination, Oduor in a statement thanked President Ruto, adding that she intends to invest her best efforts towards serving Kenya if confirmed by Parliament.
“I am delighted that H.E the President has thought me fit to take on the heavy responsibility of the Attorney-General of the Republic of Kenya. Should I be confirmed in that position, I intend to invest my best efforts towards serving our great nation,” she said.
“I am confident that my long service both at the State Law Office and later at the ODPP will come in handy in discharging the rigors of the office, God being my guide and enabler.”
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