The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has officially launched the first legal aid clinic in Machakos county that is open to serving the less fortunate in society and offers free legal consultation to citizens while enhancing service delivery.
The launch was spearheaded by the Solicitor General (SG) Shadrack Mose at the Attorney General’s office in Machakos, where he affirmed that they have posted State counsels and support staff to offer free legal aid clinic services to those who cannot afford and access legal services and consultation.
Mose highlighted that access to justice is not just a legal agenda but a shared national commitment.
He noted that the services the legal aid clinic would be offering were land matters, succession issues, criminal matters, children matters, civil Litigation, public trustee and registration of societies among others.
“Our Constitution stands as a bold proclamation of the quality of human rights and justice, specifically Article 48 ensures that the state shall guarantee access to justice for all persons.
It also brings life to the legal aid Act 2016 whose purpose is to provide free legal services to the vulnerable and marginalised,” said the SG.
He disclosed plans to ensure legal aid is spread to all counties and expressed confidence in the OAG in advancing the justice system where justice is not only served in Nairobi and to citizens who are moneyed but is spread equitably in all parts of Kenya as it aims to bring services closer to the people.
Mose emphasised the goal of the legal aid in easing the backlog of court cases that have dragged on for several years and with the launch of a legal aid office in every county, it would ensure cases have been resolved and provide alternative dispute resolutions that foster positive relationships and personal growth.
“For decades, access to legal services was meant for those in cities, rural communities and marginalized counties often remained unseen and unheard and that is now changing,” he said.
Board Chair of the National Legal Aid Service (NLAS) Musyoki Kimanzi commended the office of the AG for being instrumental in shaping policies and institutional frameworks that have enabled expansion of legal aid across the country and championing access to justice for the most vulnerable.
Kimanzi further hailed the Attorney General for facilitating the recruitment and deployment of 90 new State Counsels who have been allocated specifically to deal with legal aid matters, such as providing vital access to justice for the marginalized and empowering communities to understand their rights in the country.
He added that Machakos being a dynamic county and presenting a wide spectrum of legal needs among them land matters and succession, aligns with their core objective of providing sustainable, credible, accessible, affordable and accountable legal aid service to the vulnerable.
Kimanzi pointed out that the legal aid office would serve as a safe walk-in, where people could get viable advice and representation noting that “Legal aid is about restoring dignity, ensuring fairness and upholding the rule of law in the everyday struggles of our people.”
By Anne Kangero
