All records to be digitised in 14 days, AG Oduor says as she takes over office

New Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has pledged to ensure all relevant public information at the State law office will be digitised in the next two weeks.

Speaking when she officially took over office from her predecessor, Justin Muturi, Oduor said she had lined up a series of transformative initiatives aimed at modernising the department.

Key among her announcements was the digitisation of the Probate and Administration Department.

“We have already begun digitising our records,” said Oduor.

“In two weeks’, time, all records will be archived digitally, making them easily accessible to all Kenyans," she added.

Following this, Oduor noted that her next focus will be on digitising marriage records to streamline public access.

Solicitor General Shadrack Mose, among other senior officials, was present during the brief ceremony at Sheria House.

Oduor also extended a warm invitation to Muturi, who is currently the Public Service CS, welcoming him as the inaugural guest of the newly established Sheria Space.

The series will commence next Wednesday and will occur every subsequent Wednesday.

This initiative aims to foster legal discourse and community engagement.

Highlighting her commitment to improving public service, Attorney General Oduor urged all Heads of Departments (HODs) to actively participate in the upcoming Open Days, starting every Saturday.

These sessions are designed to provide free legal aid in collaboration with the Department of Public Trustees to address and resolve the backlog within the State Law Department.

CS Muturi praised the significant strides made within the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) during his tenure, emphasising the importance of continued reform under AG Oduor’s leadership.

He also underscored the importance of supporting the State Law Office to ensure the government is adequately prepared to win cases.

"Proper preparation is required for the Government to win cases, and the State Law Office needs the necessary support to achieve this. I am glad that it’s my friend Dorcas Oduor who is taking over this critical role."

Muturi further addressed the need for State Counsels to appear in court and for all ministries or parastatals that have been taken to court to have proper legal representation.

He commended the efforts of the Civil Litigation Department, acknowledging their crucial yet often unrecognised role in saving the government from significant losses.

"What the civil litigation team has done can never be fully reported, but what they have saved the government is huge. They are the unsung heroes that will never be reported by the media," he said.

In closing, Muturi urged the new leadership to appreciate staff who have stagnated in one position for over a year or more.

As Kenya's first female Attorney General, Dorcas Oduor is expected to continue the momentum of reform and modernisation within the OAG, further strengthening the country’s legal framework.