Public Outcry as Photo of AG Dorcas Oduor Bowing to President Ruto Goes Viral
A recent photo showing Attorney General Dorcas Oduor curtsying before President William Ruto has sparked a major public debate, with some Kenyans expressing disappointment while others defended her actions as cultural respect.
The picture, whose date is unclear, has ignited a storm online, drawing strong reactions, especially from former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.
Muturi, who also previously served as Attorney General before being moved to the Ministry of Public Service, criticized Oduor’s gesture.
In a statement released on July 3, he said he found the image troubling and claimed he would never have done something similar when he held the AG position.
“As a former Attorney General, I can say without hesitation that I would never do this. I cannot and will never bow before another human being. Seeing the Attorney General, Dorcas Oduor, nearly kneeling in front of the President is deeply disturbing,” Muturi stated.
He went on to say that Oduor’s actions only confirmed his long-standing concerns that Kenya’s Cabinet is being run under intimidation. “This shows what I’ve always said – that the Cabinet works in fear. This culture of submission must be rejected. It doesn’t build leadership – it breeds dictatorship,” Muturi added.
However, the situation took an unexpected twist when internet users began sharing a photo of Muturi himself bowing before President Ruto during his swearing-in as Cabinet Secretary.
The photo served as a reminder that such gestures are not uncommon in official functions and are often ceremonial.
Many Kenyans came to Oduor’s defense, arguing that her actions were a sign of cultural respect rather than fear or submission. One user, Samwel Wekesa, commented, “This is part of African tradition. This is how it’s supposed to be.”
Others, however, took a more critical stance. Prominent public commentator Mong’are Okong’o said, “Hon. Muturi’s reaction reminds me of Cicero’s words: ‘The more laws, the less justice.’ When the Attorney General appears to bow before power, it sends the wrong message.
That office is supposed to serve the Constitution, not individuals. What Oduor did reflects a country where institutions are bending to the will of the executive instead of standing firm.”
Muturi has been an outspoken critic of President Ruto since being dismissed from the Cabinet in a reshuffle on March 26, 2025. He was replaced by Geoffrey Ruku as the new Public Service CS. Since then, Muturi has made several bold statements against the President, including calling for his resignation.
Speaking on May 15, Muturi urged President Ruto to step down, accusing him of failing in leadership. “President Ruto should resign immediately. He is unfit to lead. He has become a shameless liar,” Muturi declared.
Dorcas Oduor made history when she became Kenya’s first female Attorney General after being appointed by President Ruto in September 2024. Her appointment was seen as a significant step forward for gender representation in top legal positions.
However, the recent controversy surrounding her gesture has placed her in the middle of a national conversation about respect, power, and the independence of constitutional offices.
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