MP Otiende Amollo Pushes Back on Claims of Public Seal Transfer to State House
NAIROBI — A row has erupted in Kenya’s Parliament over the custody of one of the country’s most sacred national symbols the Public Seal.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo has come out strongly against reports suggesting Parliament gave the green light to a controversial change that would see the Seal transferred from the Attorney General’s office to the President’s Chief of Staff.
Calling the reports “inaccurate,” Mr Amollo insisted the legislative proposal had been thrown out. “There is no legal basis upon which the Public Seal can be removed from the AG,” he said in a post on social media. “We removed the intended mischief. Section 28 of the Act remains intact.”
Mr Amollo, a constitutional lawyer and a key figure on the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, made it clear that Parliament rejected an attempt by the Executive to reassign the authority to the Head of Public Service.
The Public Seal, which features Kenya’s Coat of Arms, is used to formalise state documents. It is one of four national symbols protected under the Constitution, alongside the flag, anthem, and coat of arms.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, however, maintains that the move was lawful and above board.
In a statement issued earlier this week, Mr. Mwaura said the “transfer of custody” had been carried out in accordance with existing legislation. He argued that the Head of Public Service who operates from the heart of the presidency is well placed to manage such instruments of state.
“The process is anchored in legislation, which recognises the Head of Public Service as the appropriate holder of the seal,” he said.
But legal experts have questioned that interpretation.
“There’s no public record of such an amendment passing through Parliament,” said one Nairobi-based constitutional lawyer who requested anonymity. “Any move involving the Public Seal must be done transparently and with full legislative oversight.”
The confusion has raised broader concerns about executive power and transparency. Critics say attempts to shift control of national symbols without parliamentary approval could set a dangerous precedent.
So far, no official gazette notice has confirmed a change in custodianship. Until then, as per current law, the Attorney General remains the seal’s rightful guardian.
Whether the government will make a fresh push to formalise the transfer remains to be seen. For now, Parliament is firm: the seal stays put.
