Newly Vetted Attorney General Dorcas Oduor affirms her commitment to ensure past public interests reports have been implemented
President has a duty to take a legal professional advises to avoid embarrassment from the public where some laws have been thwarted
The newly nominated Attorney General Ms Dorcas Oduor has assured the country that will work closely with the executive to 3ensure that the presidential pardon is not political and it’s extended to minor offences
While answering hard questions from Members of the Parliament sitting at National Assembly Committee on Appointments, Oduor noted that her first duty will be relooking at how to reduce the imprisonment period for small offenders because many are grappling in prisons having committed light offences
The question had been raised by Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei backed by Likoni lawmaker Mish Mboko, “Tell us what you would consider to be your vision of the office of the attorney general,” Shollei sought
Ms Oduor pledged to do what it takes to see the criminal justice act is amended with a view of relieving some small offenders whose their lives has been held hostages at prisons whereas they committed small offenses and others being sacrificial lambs for prosecutions
“We need to relook the offences so that we decriminalise the petty offences. Most of those in custody were young people and they were poor. Is cash the only way we can secure the attendance? AG nominee posed.
Dorcas Oduor; On Government losing cases
On question from George Murugara why there has been an increase of losing court cases, the nominee pointed out that there are reasons why people lose cases.
“It could be that you have a bad case, you will lose it. It could be that you have bad or innaduquate representation. You could lose a case for any other reason, none of the above,” she disclosed
The nominee said that will be her responsibility to advise ministries, disarmaments and agencies on how to handle court cases before they are presented at the court room to avoid such embarrassment from the general public
“ If I am losing it will be my responsibility as AG to relook the cases before they begin to ensure it is solid so that we don’t incur losses. It will also be my job to advise Ministries and MDAS on how to handle court matters,” she pledged
Lesuuda seeks to know if President declines AG’s advises
Samburu West lawmaker Naisula Lesuuda sought to know whether where the Office of Attorney General has instances the AG nominee if the President has advised the Executive and the advise has not been taken
“I am not privy to any advise from an Attorney General who I served under that was not taken. I look at the President as the vision bearer of the whole country, as he receives advise he has to take into account different sectors, it is the culmination of advise from all this sectors that the president will make a decision. I don’t see where there would be a conflict if all sectors and the President are working for the people,” She described the whole issue to allay fears
She further added that efficient professional advise which is just, fair, truthful and in accordance with the constitution is always acceptable
“A law that is not working should be reviewed, amended so that it speaks to the current time. Given the opportunity, I will facilitate that action,” she added
Suna East MP and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed sought to know why her several attempts to be appointed as a Judge has always turned south notwithstanding her rich academic credentials and she had this to say
“About the JSC, I believe it was not my time and I was not the only who was not successful, they don’t give reasons for rejecting you,”