Attorney General’s office launches free legal aid centres to bring justice closer to Kenyans
The centres will provide free legal assistance for common issues, including family conflicts, land disputes, child protection, and succession matters. They will also encourage communities to resolve disputes through alternative methods, promoting faster and friendlier solutions.
The Attorney General’s office is set to expand legal support services across Kenya with the launch of state-run Legal Aid Centres.
The initiative, named “Justice at Your Doorstep,” aims to make legal help freely available to all citizens, focusing on those who have traditionally faced barriers to the justice system.
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Attorney General Dorcas Oduor highlighted the challenges that many Kenyans face when seeking justice.
“High legal fees, complex court procedures and long travel distances have kept justice out of reach for too many Kenyans, especially the poor, the marginalised, and the vulnerable,” she said on Tuesday.
The first centre will open on Thursday, October 9, in Machakos County, marking the beginning of a nationwide expansion.
“This Legal Aid Centre in Machakos is the first step in changing that reality,” Oduor said. While the schedule for other centres has not been confirmed, the rollout will eventually cover all regions of the country.
The centres will provide free legal assistance for common issues, including family conflicts, land disputes, child protection, and succession matters. They will also encourage communities to resolve disputes through alternative methods, promoting faster and friendlier solutions.
Technology will play a key role in improving access. Clients will be able to use internet-enabled computers and support staff to file cases online, follow progress in the e-filing system, and participate in virtual court sessions.
Oduor noted that the initiative draws its authority from the Constitution and the Office of the Attorney General Act of 2012, which requires the state to ensure fair access to justice.
“This is not just another government office; it is a beacon of hope,” she said. “It symbolises our promise that justice in Kenya will not be a privilege for the few, but a right for all.”
The Machakos opening is only the first phase, with plans to establish similar centres in all counties. The Attorney General urged legal professionals, civil society organisations, development partners, and the public to support the initiative in building a justice system that is accessible, trusted, and inclusive.
“Justice must no longer be something people fear or can’t afford,” Oduor said. “It must be something they can access confidently, close to home and in a language they understand.”
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