AG Dorcas Oduor sworn in as Commissioner for Judicial service Commision

Nairobi, 

Friday, 23 August, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

In an event presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has been sworn in as a Judicial Service Commission, (JSC) Commissioner at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon. 

Her appointment is Persuant to article 171(2)(e) of the Kenyan constitution effective Friday, 23 August, 2024. 

The JSC is mandated to promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the Judiciary and the effective, efficient & transparent administration of justice.

Oduor pledged to ensure that the JSC achieves its mandate while working closely with the Chief Justice. The swearing-n in ceremony was conducted by Deputy Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Paul Ndemo.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Martha Koome pledged her support and that of the JSC for the Attorney General as she undertakes her duties at the commission. 

"We in the Judicial Service Commission and indeed the wider justice sector are delighted with your appointment, having worked with you closely in your previous tour of duty as the Secretary Public Prosecutions where you have been involved in the activities of the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ). " the CJ said. 

Koome expressed confidence that Oduor's voice, perspectives, and insights will greatly enrich the actions and decisions within the JSC, particularly in promoting the independence and accountability of the Judiciary, and supporting the goal of putting in place a people-centered justice system in Kenya.

"Moreover, you have had a celebrated career in the legal profession therefore you are not new to the concerns, issues and challenges facing our system of administration of justice." CJ Koome noted.

Until her appointment, Oduor served as the secretary, Public Prosecutions and principal deputy to Director of Public Prosecutions, a career she holds with 20 years of experience. 

Oduor holds a masters Degree in international conflict management and an LL. B. 

Under the Provisions of the constitution, the President Appoints One woman and one man to represent the public, not being lawyers at the Judicial Service Commision , with the approval of the National Assembly.

On Monday, Dorcas Oduor was sworn in as the first woman Attorney General in Kenya, a milestone that marks the shattering of yet another glass ceiling for the women and girls in the country especially in the legal profession.

Women are dominating in the Judicial Service Commision and the Law Society of Kenya where they are almost the majority at the helm of leadership.

The Judiciary is headed by CJ Martha Koome with two other women Judges, Philomena Mwilu and Njoki Ndungu on it's bench. Winfridah Boyani Mokaya serves as Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Sophie Wanuna is head of Public affairs and corporate communication at the JSC, while Faith Adhiambo is President of the Law society of Kenya. 

The Judiciary has also achieved the bar for being the only arm of government that has gone beyond the two thirds gender rule with a 50/50 gender balance.

Currently, Kenya has 91 male against 81 female judges; 298 male against 295 female judicial officers (magistrates). These changes mirror similar developments in the legal profession where recent trends show more female lawyers being admitted to the Bar.