President William Ruto has shaken up his cabinet, nominating Rebecca Miano, former Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, as the new Attorney General.
This move comes as part of Ruto’s effort to form a new, broad-based cabinet aimed at driving transformative changes in Kenya.
If approved, Miano will replace Justin Muturi, the former National Assembly Speaker and Attorney General.
Muturi at the tail end of his tenure as AG, faced criticism for allegedly misadvising the government on various issues, although he has consistently denied these claims.
His tenure as AG saw reports suggesting his advice was often overlooked, a situation that came to light when a local daily claimed his office was not consulted on key government decisions, such as the deployment of the military during protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
Rebecca Miano, 58, has been a favourite of both the public and President Ruto since she took over the Trade docket.
She was one of the Cabinet Secretaries dismissed by Ruto on Thursday, July 11, with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi being the only one retained. Mudavadi will continue to serve as the head of all ministries until the new cabinet is fully constituted.
Miano's background: Before her role in the Ministry of Trade, she served as the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development.
She has extensive experience in corporate governance, having been the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KENGEN). Miano also served as KENGEN's Legal Secretary before ascending to the company's top leadership.
Miano holds a Master of Laws in Corporate Law and a Bachelor of Laws. She is a registered Certified Public Secretary and a member of both the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK).
Her expertise and leadership have been recognised with several awards, including the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya in 2010 and the Company Secretary of the Year award under the ICPSK Champions of Governance.
Muturi’s woes: Muturi's departure from the AG’s office marks the end of a contentious tenure.
Known for his long service in the judiciary and as a legislator, Muturi was seen as a legal steward. However, his term as AG was marred by allegations that his legal advice was often bypassed.
Despite his denials, these claims have cast a shadow over his time in office.