The Faculty of Law marked a historic achievement on November 29th with the launch of Criminal Law in Kenya, a groundbreaking publication authored by Dr. Juliet Amenge and Dr. Evelyne Asala. The event brought together a distinguished audience of legal scholars, practitioners, university leaders, and students to celebrate this seminal work in Kenyan legal scholarship.
Prof. Winfred, Dean of the Faculty of Law, opened the proceedings with a heartfelt welcome, celebrating the authors for their achievement and emphasizing the significance of their work. Reflecting on the history of legal education in Kenya, she highlighted how generations of law students have relied on English textbooks, which often lacked relevance to the Kenyan context. She noted the book’s ability to bridge this gap by providing a Kenyan perspective on criminal law, incorporating emerging jurisprudence, and addressing international and transnational dimensions. This work, she declared, is not only a testament to the faculty’s capacity for scholarly excellence but also a call to action for more Kenyan authors to contribute to academia.
Prof. Francis Mulaa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor RIE, stressed the importance of scholarly publication in advancing legal and academic excellence. He observed that books like Criminal Law in Kenya represent a higher level of intellectual engagement than journal articles, underscoring the difficulty and value of book publishing. He also spoke about the intersection of technology and scholarship, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the way legal resources are accessed and utilized. Prof. Mulaa emphasized the urgency of populating databases with Kenyan legal content to influence AI-driven legal applications, urging scholars to prioritize such publications.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Mark Baraza, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Hon. Renson Mulele Ingonga. Mr. Baraza praised the Faculty of Law for its leadership in producing graduates who excel in various legal, academic, and policy-making capacities. He recognized the book as a valuable tool for both students and practitioners, commending its rigorous research and its potential to inform policy and bridge knowledge gaps. He reaffirmed the Office of the DPP’s commitment to supporting scholarly works that bridge knowledge gaps and influence legal policy.
Hon. Justice J.B. Ojwang’ offered reflections on the publication, lauding its scholarly depth and focus on Kenya's legal framework. He remarked on its analysis of foundational principles, common law influences, and the evolving application of criminal law in Kenya. Justice Ojwang’ viewed the book as a model for other academics to emulate, calling on legal scholars to contribute similarly impactful research to diverse areas of law.
The authors, Dr. Amenge and Dr. Asala, shared insights into their motivations and methodology. They explained how the book combines Kenyan legal principles with analyses of English case law to evaluate the contextual evolution of criminal law. Dr. Amenge highlighted the book’s potential to address inconsistencies in judicial decisions and its utility in fostering a critical understanding of criminal law principles. Dr. Asala elaborated on its structure, which covers general principles and specific crimes, including crimes against the state, property, and the community. She underscored the importance of contextualizing legal principles within Kenyan society to advance meaningful jurisprudential developments.
The launch concluded with a call to action for the legal fraternity and academia to contribute to Kenyan legal literature. As Prof. Winfred aptly stated, the book not only fills a significant gap but also paves the way for future works that reflect Kenya’s jurisprudential identity. Criminal Law in Kenya is not only a landmark publication but also a rallying call for more African scholars to contribute to global legal scholarship, solidifying the University of Nairobi's position as a leader in academic excellence.
