The Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Mr. Eliud Owalo, officially validated the performance contract for the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice for the 2024/2025 financial year.
This contract will form the basis for a formal performance appraisal scheduled for June 30, 2025, and aims to align the department’s goals with national priorities.
The validation ceremony brought together prominent government officials, including Ms. Aurelia Rono, the Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Idris Dakota, the Principal Secretary for Cabinet Affairs, and several senior government officers. The Honorable Attorney General, Ms. Dorcas A. Oduor, accompanied by technical heads from her office, presented key highlights of the previous fiscal year’s achievements and outlined strategic goals for the upcoming year.
During her address, Attorney General Oduor detailed the department’s accomplishments from the 2023/2024 financial year, with a strong focus on automation, digitization, and service decentralization. Among the significant advancements were the continued implementation of presidential directives, Cabinet decisions, and enhancements to the e-Citizen platform—an online service portal that has streamlined public access to government services.
The Attorney General noted that the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice currently comprises nine departments and thirteen semi-autonomous government agencies. These entities play an essential role in upholding governance, law, and order within Kenya. As part of their mandate, these agencies provide legal guidance, public representation, and justice-related services for Kenyans.
One of the office’s landmark achievements in the past year was the successful digitization of various legal services. This shift has made services more accessible to the public by reducing the time and costs associated with acquiring legal documentation and advice. Legal services have also been decentralized, allowing for increased accessibility in regions previously underserved.
The Attorney General underscored the importance of these innovations, particularly as they relate to justice delivery. She explained that automation and digital integration help reduce bureaucratic delays, improve accountability, and ensure that citizens can more easily navigate legal processes without the need to travel to Nairobi.
Looking forward, Attorney General Oduor emphasized the government’s commitment to extending legal support further into the community by decentralizing services to county levels. This step will bring legal aid closer to citizens, especially those in remote areas, providing accessible and reliable legal representation and advice. This commitment to decentralization aligns with the government’s focus on equity and inclusivity in delivering public services.
“By bringing our services closer to the people, we aim to foster a more equitable society where access to justice is a right, not a privilege,” said Attorney General Oduor.
The decentralization plan will build on the department’s current achievements, utilizing the newly digitized systems to streamline services at the county level. This expansion will allow for faster and more efficient processing of legal requests and cases, reducing the burden on centralized offices and ensuring that more citizens receive timely assistance.
Mr. Eliud Owalo, speaking on behalf of the Executive Office of the President, expressed confidence in the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Justice to deliver on their commitments. He stated that performance contracts are vital for achieving transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery within the public sector.
He commended the Office of the Attorney General for embracing technology, which has enabled the government to meet the growing demand for digital services. Owalo emphasized that through these measures, the administration aims to improve overall governance and reinforce the rule of law in the country.
“The validation of this contract is not merely a formality; it’s a pledge to the people of Kenya. We are holding each department accountable to its objectives and timelines. The appraisal set for June 2025 will ensure that each goal is met,” said Owalo.
The Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice is expected to drive several policy changes in the upcoming year. Beyond decentralization, their objectives include enhancing transparency, strengthening legal frameworks, and promoting a justice system that operates effectively for all Kenyans.
The performance contract’s validation marks a significant step in the department’s journey towards achieving these goals, with a clear focus on modernization, accessibility, and inclusivity. By the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the Office of the Attorney General hopes to have established an enduring legacy of transformation within Kenya’s legal and justice system.
As Kenya advances in legal service delivery, the performance contract is set to be a benchmark for assessing the government’s ability to meet the rising expectations of its people. With the continued support of the Executive Office, the Attorney General’s department is well-positioned to deliver on its mandate, bringing justice closer to every Kenyan.