Attorney General Dorcas Oduor Affirms Custody of Public Seal Amid Confusion
Attorney General (AG) Dorcas Oduor has reaffirmed that the Public Seal remains under her custody, dismissing earlier media reports that suggested otherwise.
The Public Seal is a critical symbol of state authority, used to authenticate and validate key government documents.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Oduor clarified that there has been no change regarding the Seal’s custodianship. “The custody of the Public Seal is clearly defined by law, and that position remains unchanged. I am still in possession of the Seal, contrary to what has been reported,” she stated.
Oduor further emphasized that all arms of government operate cohesively under the leadership of the President, downplaying any internal divisions over the matter. “As a government, we work together under the leadership of the President, as a united team,” she added.
Her remarks follow conflicting statements made by Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura, who initially told the media on May 19 that the Seal was held by the Head of Public Service (HOPS). He later reversed his position on May 22, confirming that the Seal remains with the Attorney General.
Mwaura attributed the confusion to a proposal in the National Administration Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which had sought to assign custodianship of the Seal to HOPS Felix Koskei.
“The Public Seal is actually under the custody of the Attorney General as per Article 9 of the Constitution. The Office of the Attorney General Act, under Clause 2: Designation of Terms, affirms this,” Mwaura clarified.
The controversy has sparked public debate due to the Seal’s critical role in endorsing official government documents.
Former Attorney General Justin Muturi had earlier raised the alarm over the proposed changes, cautioning that bypassing the AG’s legal oversight in affixing the Seal could pose accountability risks.
“If documents can be signed and bear the Public Seal without the AG’s legal advice, that is a serious issue. Transferring such authority to the HOPS office could erode legal safeguards and accountability,” Muturi warned, adding that the proposed change had been quietly embedded in the Bill and passed with minimal public awareness.
