Chief Justice Martha Koome has held discussions with Kituo cha Sheria, an organisation known for providing legal support to Kenya’s marginalized communities for over five decades.
The engagement, according to the CJ, focused on reinforcing access to justice and promoting community-based legal empowerment initiatives.
During the meeting, Koome acknowledged the organisation’s role in delivering legal aid, public interest litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and community mobilisation.
“Kituo cha Sheria’s work has transformed countless lives, particularly among poor and marginalized Kenyans,” Koome said, highlighting the long-standing collaboration between civil society and the Judiciary.
The dialogue underscored the alignment between Kituo cha Sheria’s mission and the Judiciary’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) Blueprint, which emphasises people-centred justice and the development of community pathways to resolve legal matters.
Koome noted that strengthening such partnerships is key to improving the justice system’s reach across urban and rural Kenya.
Founded in 1969, Kituo cha Sheria has consistently worked to reduce barriers to justice for vulnerable populations.
The organisation’s efforts in public interest litigation have influenced policy reforms, while its legal aid services assist individuals unable to afford court representation.
Over the years, Kituo has also provided capacity-building programs aimed at empowering local communities to understand and exercise their rights.
Experts note that Kenya’s judicial system has faced criticism for delayed case resolutions and limited access in remote areas.
Initiatives like the STAJ Blueprint, when implemented alongside organisations such as Kituo cha Sheria, aim to address these gaps by decentralising services and promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Koome’s engagement with Kituo cha Sheria also included discussions on expanding community legal education and enhancing collaboration between the Judiciary and civil society groups.
The Chief Justice reiterated the importance of ensuring that all Kenyans, regardless of socioeconomic status, can navigate the legal system effectively.