The Office of the Attorney General has embarked on a consultative engagement with chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of its 12 semi-autonomous government agencies to review performance and strategize on enhancing service delivery.
Speaking during the meeting in Nairobi, Attorney General (AG), Dorcus Oduor highlighted the critical role played by the State Agencies and Government Authorities (SAGAs) in advancing the mandate of the Office of the Attorney General.
“I acknowledge your contributions to national development and the administration of justice. Your efforts to improve access to legal resources and ensure compliance with statutory obligations are commendable,” Oduor said.
Addressing the issue on the Performance Contracting Guidelines for the Financial year 2024/2025, issued by the Ministry of Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management,
Oduor stressed the importance of aligning performance indicators with government policies and public expectations, ensuring that targets were met effectively.
“While we acknowledge progress, there are still challenges such as resource constraints, delayed decision-making, and the misalignment of agency mandates with the broader goals of the Office. I urge all of you to turn these challenges into opportunities for growth and impact,” she said.
The focus was on assessing current performance, identifying operational inefficiencies, and exploring strategies to enhance accountability frameworks and mobilize additional resources.
Additionally, a proposed key strategy to guide performance improvements includes integrated resource planning to minimize duplication of efforts, performance-linked budgeting to ensure accountability, and regular performance reviews to identify gaps and make necessary adjustments.
“We must leverage technology to improve service delivery, invest in staff capacity building, and strengthen stakeholder engagement with the private sector and development partners.” Said the AG.
“Our efforts aim to enhance access to justice, particularly for individuals who lack the financial resources to pursue legal matters. A key priority area for us is ensuring that national legal aid services are accessible,” she said.
“We will deploy two legal counsels in each county to serve the public. Additionally, we are committed to simplifying legal processes and making them more accessible to the public.” said the AG.
The Attorney General’s office is set to expand its presence across the country, with plans to establish offices in an additional 14 counties, bringing the total number of offices to 28.
Ultimately, the goal is to establish a presence in all 47 counties, ensuring that legal services are more accessible to the people of Kenya.
Each of the twelve agencies under the office’s umbrella will have dedicated service desks within these county offices.
These agencies include the following: National Legal Aid Service, Kenya School of Law, Kenya Law Reform Commission, Auctioneer Licensing Board, Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration, Business Registration Service, National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee, Assets Recovery Agency, Witness Protection Agency, The National Council for Law Reporting, and the Assets Recovery Agency.
This expansion aims to enhance efficiency and public trust by bringing legal services closer to the people of Kenya.
The Attorney General’s Office remains dedicated to upholding justice and legal integrity while ensuring more accessible, efficient, and transparent legal services across the nation.
Oduor reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting these agencies in fulfilling their mandates and contributing to national development goals. The consultative meeting provided a platform for dialogue, feedback, and strategic planning to enhance efficiency and compliance across all agencies under the Office of the Attorney General.
By Joan Ogolla