The Office of the Attorney General has announced plans to open a series of Legal Aid Centres across the country in a move aimed at making justice more accessible and inclusive.
This ambitious initiative, themed “Justice at Your Doorstep,” aims to ensure all Kenyans get access to free and accessible legal services, regardless of income, location, or social status.
It particularly targets those who have historically been excluded from the justice system due to poverty, distance, or lack of legal awareness.
“High legal fees, complex court procedures, and long travel distances have kept justice out of reach for too many Kenyans, especially the poor, the marginalised, and the vulnerable,” Attorney General Dorcas Oduor said in a statement.
Her statement comes ahead of the official launch of the first center in Machakos County on October 9, 2025.
She emphasised that the new centre is part of a nationwide rollout aimed at breaking down the barriers that keep many citizens from realising their constitutional right to justice.
“This Legal Aid Center in Machakos is the first step in changing that reality,” the AG said.
The Machakos Legal Aid Centre will offer free legal services focused on everyday legal challenges such as land disputes, succession matters, child protection, and family conflicts.
It will also promote alternative dispute resolution, helping communities resolve issues amicably and efficiently.
In addition to face-to-face legal assistance, the centre will leverage technology to bridge the digital divide in legal access.
Equipped with internet-connected computers and trained staff, the facility will help clients file documents online, track their cases through the e-filing system, and participate in virtual court sessions via video links.
The AG highlighted that this move is part of a larger vision anchored in the 2010 Constitution and the Office of the Attorney General Act of 2012, which mandates the state to uphold the rule of law and promote legal awareness and access to justice.
“This is not just another government office, it is a beacon of hope,” she noted.
“It symbolises our promise that justice in Kenya will not be a privilege for the few, but a right for all.”
While the launch in Machakos marks the beginning, the government intends to replicate the model across the country, ensuring that similar centres eventually serve every region.
Oduor also called on development partners, legal professionals, community organisations, and citizens to support the initiative and help build a justice system that is inclusive, fair, and trusted.
“Justice must no longer be something people fear or can’t afford. It must be something they can access confidently, close to home, and in a language they understand,” she said.
