House approves Oduor for AG and Askul as the EAC Affairs CS

Dorcas Agik Oduor, nominee for Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya, before the Committee on Appointments chaired by National Assembly's Speaker Moses Wetangula and his Deputy Gladys Boss at the Mini Chambers, County Hall, Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Composition of President William Ruto’s broad-based government is nearing completion following the approval of the Attorney General and East Africa Community and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary nominees.

On Wednesday, the National Assembly adopted a report of the Committee on Appointments which recommended the appointment of Dorcas Oduor as Kenya's first female Attorney General and Beatrice Askul as EAC and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary following their vetting last week.

This now sets the stage for their swearing-in. The duo now joins 19 CSs who were given a stamp of approval by the House last week and then sworn in. Focus now shifts to the President who is expected to nominate Gender CS following the rejection of Stella Lang’at by MPs.

The committee chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, in its report, backed suitability of Oduor to serve as the country’s first female AG. MPs noted that her more than 15 years’ experience as an advocate of the High Court met requirements of being appointed the AG.

“The nominee demonstrated knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues touching on government and has the requisite abilities, qualifications and experience to be approved for appointment as the Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya,” reads the report in part.

The committee further termed Asukul a perfect fit for the EAC Affairs docket given her experience in public service. She served as the County Executive Committee member for Water and Irrigation in the Turkana county government between 2013 and 2016, Director of Rift Valley Water Services Board between 2008 and 2012, Chairperson of the Technical Committee Rift Valley Water Services Board between 2011 and 2012 as chairperson of the Audit Committee Rift Valley Water Services Board between 2008 and 2011.

Prior, she had worked as a project officer at Amref Kenya Turkana project between 1999 and 2002. And during debate of the report on the floor of the House, leaders from across the political divide showered praise on the duo.

Leader of Minority Junet Mohammed said: “The nominees demonstrated an understanding of the mandates of the offices to which they were being nominated. They articulated clear visions for the offices. I can tell this House without fear of contradiction, that this is now the real example of women that can lead this country. Distinguished women, women who have prospered in their career.”

Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli said: “I know that a lot rotates around the Office of the Attorney-General and we as lawyers are looking for a head of the bar who understands us. I know there's a lot that is going to be coming to this House that needs to be observed by the AG. I know the AG needs to advise government especially on what is right and what is wrong in financial transactions. We hope the government will take the advice of the Attorney-General and not the other way around.”  

Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia said: “I look forward and hope it is during this time of CS Beatrice - incoming EAC Minister, that we shall realise the ever-challenging issue of financial mechanism in the East African Community. She is capable of leading us there.”