Love is in the air at Sheria House, but not everyone is swooning over the Attorney General’s latest venture into the world of matrimonial aesthetics.

The launch of a VVIP marriage lounge has sparked a fierce debate about the priorities of an office constitutionally mandated to be the guardian of the rule of law, not a wedding planner.

The unveiling of the new VVIP lounge at the State Law Office was meant to be a PR coup, a demonstration of service delivery with a human face just in time for Valentine’s Day. Instead, it has exposed a disconnect between the government’s focus and the public’s expectations. While couples may now exchange vows in a setting draped in white chiffon and red roses, legal pundits are asking why the Attorney General is investing in decor when the justice system is creaking under the weight of backlog and inefficiency. The principal mandate of the AG is to be the government’s chief legal advisor, not to compete with private event organizers.

Style Over Substance?

Critics argue that this initiative is symptomatic of a broader trend where optics replace substance. The Office of the Attorney General is the nerve center of the government’s legal machinery, responsible for drafting legislation, representing the state in court, and upholding the constitution. To see it pivoting to "VVIP experiences" for civil unions feels, to many, like a distraction. "We have constitutional crises, disobeyed court orders, and legislative gaps," notes political commentator Nzau Musau. "A wedding lounge does not solve any of these."

The lounge itself is undeniably an upgrade from the stark, bureaucratic offices where marriages were previously solemnized. It offers privacy, comfort, and a touch of dignity to the proceedings. However, the question remains: is this the best use of taxpayers` money and the AG’s limited bandwidth? In a country where access to justice is still a mirage for many, the luxury of a VVIP wedding service feels jarringly out of touch.

• The Facility: Features include a garden setting, floral arrangements, and a dedicated ceremonial aisle, designed to decongest the main registry.
• The Cost: Questions are being raised about the budget allocation for the renovation and whether it aligns with austerity measures.
• The Principle: The core issue is the commercialization of public service, turning a statutory duty into a tiered product for the wealthy.

The Legal Reality

Marriage is indeed a legal contract, and its registration is a state function. But the solemnization is a statutory formality, not a hospitality service. By blurring these lines, the State Law Office risks trivializing its grave constitutional responsibilities. The government’s role is to ensure the marriage is legal, not that the photos look good on Instagram.

As couples flock to the new lounge to tie the knot, the Attorney General must not lose sight of the bigger picture. A pretty room for weddings is nice, but a robust, independent, and efficient legal system is what the country truly needs to live happily ever after.