Attorney General Dorcas Oduor
is set to preside over the national commissioning of the Legal Aid Service in
Kibera, Nairobi, on Tuesday – a historic milestone underscoring the government’s
unwavering commitment to ensuring that access
to justice, just like healthcare, is universal.
Organised by the office of
the Attorney General in collaboration with the National Legal Aid Service and
key justice sector institutions, the commissioning marks a significant step
towards fulfilling the constitutional promise that every Kenyan is entitled to
access justice without discrimination.
The legal aid initiative seeks to narrow the justice gap experienced by vulnerable and marginalised communities by bringing essential legal services closer to the people.
The Legal Aid Centre initiative - housed within a custom-modified, solar-powered container - has been designed to be environmentally friendly, functional, and accessible.
It will serve as a decentralised legal access point, enabling
residents to receive free legal services and participate in virtual court
hearings. In Kibera and other regions, individuals will now obtain assistance
on matters such as land disputes, children in conflict with the law, probate
and succession, and various civil cases.
Speaking ahead of the launch,
Oduor reaffirmed that the programme forms a central part of the government’s
wider drive to strengthen the rule of law and deepen constitutionalism under
the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). She emphasised that
justice must never be the preserve of a privileged few but a right equitably
enjoyed by all citizens.
“Justice must be accessible, affordable, and timely. No Kenyan should be
denied legal assistance simply because they cannot afford it. This legal aid
programme is our way of ensuring that justice serves the people equally,
fairly, and with dignity,” she said.
The event is expected to draw
wide participation from public and private sector stakeholders, development
partners, and human rights organisations, many of whom view the initiative as a
transformative stride towards strengthening community resilience through legal
empowerment.
The Attorney General further highlighted the government’s deliberate strategy to intensify legal awareness in informal settlements and rural areas - communities disproportionately affected by lack of information and limited access to legal services.
She underscored that the
initiative complements the broader national human rights agenda and reinforces
Kenya’s aspirations for a just, accountable and inclusive society. In
particular, the programme will prioritise women, youth, and persons with
disabilities—groups that often face compounded barriers within the justice
chain.
“By bringing legal services directly to the people, we are dismantling
structural barriers that hinder access to justice. This is not merely a legal
intervention; it is a social justice mission,” she said.
The initiative aligns with both the National Legal Aid Policy and Kenya Vision 2030, which together place access to justice at the heart of sustainable development.
With continued
support from justice sector agencies, the Office of the Attorney General plans
to roll out similar legal aid centres across all remaining counties.
Residents of Kibera have
welcomed the initiative warmly, describing it as a much-needed opportunity to
resolve long-standing legal challenges without prohibitive cost implications.
For many, this will be the first time they can access direct legal support
within their own community.
As the nation prepares for
the launch, the Attorney General reaffirmed her office’s commitment to building
a justice system that is people-centred, responsive, and inclusive - one that
ensures no Kenyan is left behind.
“The office of the Attorney General will continue to champion the cause of
justice, equity, and fairness. This launch represents our pledge to empower
citizens, strengthen governance, and fortify Kenya’s democratic foundations
through equal access to justice,” she said.
The commissioning of the
National Legal Aid Service is therefore not just an event—it is a national
statement of intent: a commitment to uplifting the lives of all Kenyans by
making justice truly universal.
