President William Ruto’s administration is facing growing scrutiny after claims emerged that top government officials secretly plotted to transfer control of the Public Seal from the Attorney General to the Head of Public Service, a move many legal experts warn could weaken constitutional safeguards.
The revelations come in the wake of sustained Gen Z protests, which have rocked the country in recent weeks, sparking national conversations about governance, transparency, and accountability.
Although the government maintains that the Public Seal—a powerful national symbol used to authenticate state documents—remains in the custody of the Attorney General, sources indicate that the seal may have been moved without public knowledge. Concerns deepened after the sudden dismissal of then-Attorney General Justin Muturi on July 11, 2024, followed by the appointment of Dorcas Odhiambo as AG on August 20, 2024.
Legal scholars and civil society actors warn that placing such a critical symbol of state authority under a presidential appointee, rather than an independent office, could lead to abuse of power and erode the constitutional order.
