President William Ruto’s nominee for the position of Attorney General Rebecca Miano has expressed her gratitude for being among the six cabinet secretaries retained in the new broad-based government.
In a statement on Sunday, July 21, 2024, Miano said this was the time to remain grateful and courageous, as she is poised to become the first female attorney general should parliament ratify her nomination.
“Life is full of second chances. When they come be more appreciative, intentional, courageous, hard-working, and humble,” Miano remarked.
Before serving at the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Miano was the Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community, the ASALs and Regional Development.
As the lead legal advisor of the president, Miano will join a host of senior women in government circles like Chief Justice Martha Koome, her deputy Philomena Mwilu, Supreme Court judge Njoki Ndung’u and Auditor General Nancy Gathungu among others.
Supporting the attorney general in her role are the Director of public prosecution, solicitor general, the senior deputy solicitor general, registrar general, administrator general and chief parliamentary counsel among other legal staff.
Miano joins powerful women
Miano could easily join a list of eight attorney generals the country has had since independence who are : Charles Njonjo who served for 16 years, James Karugu who served the shortest at less than a year and Joseph Kamere who served for two years.
Others were Matthew Guy Muli, who served as AG of the second President Daniel Arap Moi for eight years, Amos Wako who served the longest- 20 years, Githu Muigai who did seven years, Paul Kihara Kariuki who served for four years and Justin Muturi who was dismissed before finishing his second year as the president’s lead legal advisor.
Miano is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya but has held other positions before being tapped into the Kenya Kwanza government.
Prior to her nomination to the cabinet, Miano was the managing director of the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).
She has also served on the Finance Committee for the National Council of Churches (NCCK).
Her re-appointment back to government alongside other five nominees has been the subject of discussion, with a section of Kenyan youth, vowing to go back to the streets in protest.
The other old faces recycled back into government are Alice Wahome, Kithure Kindiki, Davis Chirchir, Soipan Tuya and Aden Duale.
Parliament will have to approve the nominees before they are sworn in to discharge their duties.