The faculty of law kick-started a week long legal Aid week from 5th-9th December 2022 with the aim of mentoring and offering legal assistance to the citizens. The opening ceremony which also marked day one of the legal week was marked in collaboration with Office of the Dean of Students and UNESCO O3 Plus Project on the Theme: “Empowerment, Transformation and Mentorship in Legal Aid “and the Sub theme: “Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights/Gender Based Violence”.
Honorable Lady Justice Martha Koome was represented by Justice Lucas Kimaru of the Court of Appeal in Nyeri. In the speech read on behalf of Hon. Koome, the judge noted ‘Rights must be protected & promoted. Access to justice can be promoted by promotion of Legal aid. Legal aid clinic not only give back to society but also give students opportunity to learn beyond the classroom’. . The Judge further noted, ‘we have a duty to expand the doorways of justice so that citizens can get justice not just though the mainstream court system but also through a guarding mechanism of dispute resolution mechanism including mediation, reconciliation arbitration and traditional dispute mechanisms (AJS)’.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Kiama was represented by the DVC Academic affairs Prof. Julius Ogengo who said ‘Legal aid week is a student centered activity. This is a noble task of providing legal Aid to the members of the public
The dean faculty of law Prof. Winfred Kamau noted the faculty was delighted to hold the legal aid week whose objective are: To provide an important community service for persons who are not able to afford legal services; To provide a platform through which law students engage with professionals from various fields of legal practice; and To create a platform for linking the academy with practice.
The Associate Dean, FOL, Prof. Collins Odote applauded the student leadership from the faculty for their tireless efforts in ensuring the success of the event. He noted ‘’through the legal Aid clinic we are hoping to empower, transform and offer mentorship to the citizens to know their rights’’
Representative from UNESCO 03 plus project Mercy Mwongeri spoke candidly on equality 'equality is lined with the 2030 agenda...and leaving no one behind. No vulnerable person should be left behind. Equality is a human rights approach to development she said
The Dean Faculty of Law Prof. Winfred Kamau noted the faculty was delighted to hold the legal aid week whose objective are: To provide an important community service for persons who are not able to afford legal services; To provide a platform through which law students engage with professionals from various fields of legal practice; and To create a platform for linking the academy with practice.
The clinic will run until Friday 9th December at the Parklands Campus aim with the aim: to provide legal Aid Consultations and advice to Staff and Students on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence, HIV/AIDs, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Mental Health and Wellness; and offer staff and students practical and effective legal awareness that promotes access to justice for all when faced with different challenges and any other matters that require legal support.
