Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has firmly dismissed recent claims suggesting that the public seal—a vital symbol of state authority—had been transferred from her custody to the Head of Public Service. Speaking out after days of speculation and conflicting statements within government circles, Oduor described the allegations as false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to create division within the executive branch.
In a clear and resolute statement, AG Oduor emphasized that the legal custody of the government seal remains exclusively with her office as provided by law. She refuted claims that the seal had been handed over to the Head of Public Service, reiterating that the law is explicit on the matter.
“The legal custody of the public seal remains with the Attorney General and, as such, the Attorney General retains the legal right to control, protect, and care for the public seal under her charge,” she said.
The public seal is an essential state instrument used to authenticate official government documents, and Oduor warned that spreading unfounded narratives about its custody risks sowing unnecessary discord within the government.
“Government is one government. The executive is one executive. We work together collaboratively under the leadership of the President. So we are one,” she added.
The AG’s remarks follow a wave of confusion triggered by government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who initially claimed that the seal was under the Head of Public Service following a recent legal amendment. Mwaura later retracted his statement, blaming misunderstandings linked to the National Administration Law Amendment Bill of 2023.
Mwaura had stated, “The law is very clear. This seal is under the Head of Public Service. That is the law. It was passed recently. The role of the Head of Public Service is to execute the orders of the President.”
In addition to addressing the public seal controversy, AG Oduor reaffirmed her legal advice that supported the government’s decision to cancel the Roni Mama road contract with a French firm, a move that will require the government to pay Kenya Shillings 6.2 billion in compensation. She defended the cancellation on grounds of public interest, noting that the road project would now be completed at a lower cost.
“When we gave legal advice in cancellation of that contract, we took into account public interest. But what is going to happen now is that the road is going to be built reasonably with lesser money than it could have been built before,” she said.
Moreover, AG Oduor chaired a meeting of the Land Rapid Result Initiative Committee, urging accelerated resolution of government land cases that have stalled key development projects. Faith Adhiambo from the Law Society of Kenya welcomed the initiative as an opportunity to review and expedite the resolution of spending and land disputes.
Despite swirling rumors, the Attorney General maintains firm control over the government seal and insists that attempts to suggest otherwise are meant to portray a divided executive where none exists.
