From left: Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, LSK president Faith Odhiambo, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Wilfridah Mokaya and Attorney-General nominee Dorcas Oduor.
The nomination of Dorcas Oduor as the country’s Attorney-General firmly puts the justice sector in the hands of women.
For a long time, a number of barriers prevented women from participating fully as top-tier justice professionals.
Martha Koome broke the barrier when she became the Chief Justice and joined Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and Justice Njoki Ndung’u at the Supreme Court.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Wilfridah Mokaya, who plays a key role in the justice sector, joined the top leadership position in March, succeeding Anne Amadi. Faith Odhiambo, meanwhile, leads the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
“I am eager to support the Chief Justice, Judges, Judicial Officers and Staff who all have a role to play in the implementation of the Social Transformation through Access to Justice Blueprint and the realisation of the goals therein, for the ultimate benefit of our country,” Ms Mokaya said when she was sworn in for a five-year term.
And now comes Ms Oduor. As the titular head of the bar and the principal legal advisor to the government, Ms Oduor will ensure the voice of women in the justice sector is heard even more.
Many agree that a woman in leadership position and, especially the justice sector, easily enhances public trust and confidence. They say that women have the tendency to empower the less privileged and make the court environment accessible to all and the marginalised.
Lawyer Kethi Kilonzo says Ms Oduor has earned the position because of her dedication to public service as she has worked for 30 years as public prosecutor.
Women leadership
“We believe she will perform to her best, not because of her gender or background but because of her capabilities and dedicated service in the public sector,” she said, adding that she had worked all her life for the government and worked her way to the top.
In one of her speeches about women leadership, Justice Koome stated that distinguished women leaders of Kenya have been at the forefront in championing the social transformation have witnessed over the last three decades, leading to significant changes in the status of women in Kenya.
“They have led the fight for gender equality, recognition, the expansion of political space, and the inclusion of women in all spheres of life,” she said. During her inaugural speech in May 2021, Justice Koome recalled the many women who came before, with firsts.
“Allow me then to name a few, because I am walking in their footsteps: Field Marshall Muthoni Wa Kirima, who fought in the Land and Freedom Army (Mau Mau) and is the only Kenyan woman we know of to hold the rank of Field Marshall.
“Pricilla Abwao, the only female member of the Legislative Council who represented Kenya at the Lancaster House conference.
“Grace Onyango, the first woman Member of Parliament. Mrs Nyiva Mwenda, the first woman appointed as a Cabinet Minister,” she stated in the speech.
Ms Roseline Odede is also the chairperson of the State-owned Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
If approved by Parliament, Ms Oduor will join Justice Koome, who is also the chair of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), which brings together State and non-state actors in the justice sector.
“As women we are happy. We are getting to where we desire to be,” senior counsel Judy Thongori said on the nomination of Ms Oduor to the post of the Attorney-General.
She said the nomination of Ms Oduor to the position is historic because she stands to become Kenya’s first female Attorney-General, if MPs give her the nod.
Ms Thongori said her senior counsel deserves the post and there can be no better person for the job as she can bring the changes desired in the justice sector.
“We have seen her working at the DPP’s office for many years. She has all the qualities for the job,” she said.
Unimpeachable integrity
Ms Oduor is currently serving as Secretary of Public Prosecutions at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a position she had held from January 2017.
In the position, Ms Oduor deputised the DPP in the administration and management of the affairs of the office as well as overseeing the operations of the departments, among many other duties.
While nominating her, President William Ruto noted that Ms Oduor brings over 30 years of legal experience in the public sector.
The statement released by head of public service Felix Koskei underlined her extensive contributions to the development of Kenyan law, praising her integrity, professional competence, and dedication to the rule of law.
“Senior Counsel Dorcas Oduor has demonstrated unimpeachable integrity, impressive professional competence, and steadfast commitment to the rule of law,” Mr Koskei said in a statement.
A career prosecutor, Ms Oduor started her job as State counsel in 1991.
Lawyer Adelaide Kwamboka, an advocate of the High Court stated that women have risen to a new horizon and seat of power where decisions and policy-shaping takes place.
“Pertinent issues regarding women rights, economic empowerment and degradation of women in work places will be a thing of the past, now that the chief government legal advisor will be a woman,” she said.
Ms Kwamboka said women in general are looking forward to getting better attention terms of national standing.
She said Ms Oduor has a woman of immense legal standing and will not disappoint.
Ms Pauline Kiteng’e agrees saying Ms Oduor is a bridge of the young and the old, well-versed in legal matters and she will bring competence needed in the justice sector.
“President Ruto made a good consideration by picking Ms Oduor based on her capacity and competence and not an issue of gender,” she said, adding that the nominee is competent to deliver on her mandate.
