The government has gone a step forward towards strengthening access to justice with the launch of the country’s first National Legal Aid Service Centre at the Kibera Law Courts.
The initiative is part of a wider nationwide rollout aimed at ensuring that every Kenyan, particularly those from vulnerable, low-income and marginalized communities, can receive legal assistance without the burden of cost.
Kibera, one of the country’s most densely populated areas and home to a high number of unresolved court cases, was selected as the starting point of the program.
The new centre is expected to ease the heavy backlog experience at the courts and address the long-standing challenge of limited legal representation among residents.
During the launch, government officials emphasized that the centre will provide free legal support for a wide range of issues, including land dispute, gender-based violence, family conflicts and matters involving children in conflict with the law.
These are among the most common cases affecting ordinary Kenyans, many of whom often lack the financial means to hire private lawyers or understand the complexities of the justice system.
To ensure the service is accessible to all, the program will be rolled out across all 47 countries, each equipped with state counsel trained specifically to handle cases for citizens who cannot afford legal representation.
This decentralised approach is designed to eliminate the geographical barriers that have historically made legal aid unreachable for many communities outside major towns.
In addition to walk-in assistance, the government has established a 24-hour call centre that will connect citizens to legal officers in real time. Through this hotline, individuals can seek legal guidance and be directed to the appropriate desk or officer at their nearest legal aid centre.
Officials say this feature will be especially helpful for victims of urgent or sensitive cases such as domestic violence, who often need immediate advice or intervention.
Inside the Kibera centre, dedicated desks have been set up to ensure that residents can access assistance depending on the nature of their cases. The presence of state-appointed legal professionals is expected to reduce the delays caused by lack of representation, empower victims of crime, and help citizens navigate the justice system with dignity and confidence.
For many community members who attended the launch, the opening of the centre marks a turning point. Residents expressed hope that the initiative will break the long-held cycle of fear, frustration, and hopelessness that often accompanies legal battles, especially for those living in informal settlements where access to justice has always been out of reach.
The government maintains that the legal aid rollout is part of its broader commitment to human rights and equity. By ensuring that financial status is no longer a barrier to legal representation, the program aims to create a fair justice system and strengthen public trust in legal institutions.
As the nationwide rollout continues, the Kibera centre stands as the first symbol of what officials believe will become a transformative public service. For thousands of Kenyans who have faced the justice system alone, this initiative could finally provide the bridge between fear and justice.
