By Caroline Katana
The government has established an office of the Attorney General in Kwale County
This makes the county the newest beneficiary of the national government’s plan to bring legal services closer to the people.
Attorney General Dorcas Odour visited Governor Fatuma Achani on Wednesday, underscoring a commitment to extend the reach of legal and governance services beyond major cities.
“Our presence here is functional. We are committed to ensuring every Kenyan, regardless of location, has access to quality legal services,” Odour said.
The Kwale office will handle legal representation for public institutions, registration of companies, business names, societies, adoptions, and marriages.
It will also draft and vet legal documents, issue legal opinions, and guide compliance with constitutional and statutory laws.
Governor Achani welcomed the development, calling it a long-overdue milestone for the county.
“The presence of the Attorney General’s Office will strengthen legal structures, boost efficiency in service delivery, and enhance public trust in governance,” she said.
Previously, residents depended on Mombasa’s office for such services, often facing long waits and travel.
The new office is expected to ease pressure on Mombasa while improving access for coastal communities.
Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo led an inspection of the building earmarked for the office — a renovated former water department facility.
County Commissioner Stephen Orinde, County Attorney Salim Gombeni, Kwale Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director Eric Parmet, and senior government officials were also in attendance.
The creation of county-level OAG branches is part of a wider devolution effort to embed national institutions in all 47 counties, reduce regional disparities, and fulfil the vision of the 2010 Constitution.
“This is more than an office; it’s a statement that justice and legal governance are rights for all Kenyans, not privileges for a few,” Odour said.
With Kwale’s office now in place, Kenya is past the halfway mark in the rollout, bringing the country closer to universal access to national legal services.
So far 33 counties out of the 47 are benefiting decentralized services.
