The Office of the Attorney General in Kenya has announced the opening of 15 new offices across various counties, set to commence operations on January 1, 2025.
This initiative is part of a strategic effort to decentralize essential services, including civil litigation, public trustee operations, and marriage registration, thereby making these services more readily available to the Kenyan populace. The Solicitor General, Shadrack Mose, has outlined the locations of these new offices, which will be situated in Nyandarua, Narok, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, Makueni, Lamu, Vihiga, Kajiado, Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Kiambu.
This expansion builds on the existing 13 offices, significantly broadening the reach of the Attorney General’s services. The initiative is in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Constitution of Kenya, which compels national state organs to ensure easy accessibility to their services nationwide. Beyond merely enhancing civil service access, this decentralization addresses a wide array of legal needs.
The Attorney-General Act, under Section 6(3)(b), reinforces the need for county or regional offices to uphold the rule of law and facilitate public legal services. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to promote good governance and protect human rights.
Emphasizing the initiative’s strategic significance, Solicitor General Mose states, “To enhance justice in other parts of the country, the office shall decentralize its services of civil litigation, public trustee, Registrar General-Marriages section, and National Legal Aid services to these 15 new counties.”
The Attorney General and the Department of Justice are dedicated to ensuring that all Kenyans can access essential legal services more effectively. For individuals inquiring about the new services, the Attorney General’s official website will provide further information. Notably, these changes hold particular importance for those seeking civil marriages, overseen by the Registrar of Marriages, Deputy County Commissioners, or Assistant County Commissioners.
Applicants must submit a valid ID or passport, passport-sized photographs, and any requisite additional documents, such as a widow/widower certificate or a divorce decree. It is also important to note that the cost of civil marriages was recently increased to Sh50,000 in 2023.
