From the 8th to 10th April, KELIN and other development partners, in collaboration with the National Steering Committee on the Implementation of Alternative Justice Systems (NaSCI-AJS), held a two-day workshop aimed at reflecting on performance and measuring AJS implementation progress across the nation since 2021.
The workshop kicked off on a high note with Hon. Justice Francis Gikonyo setting the tone in his opening remarks, applauding the invaluable role of every stakeholder in the AJS movement. He emphasized that the moment has come to renew our collective commitment to a justice system that is not only inclusive and accessible but firmly grounded in the lived realities of the people it serves. Adding to the momentum, KELIN’s Deputy Executive Director, Hortense Minishi, called for a reflective pause, a moment to take stock, celebrate hard-won gains, draw lessons from the past, and reignite our focus with fresh, innovative energy to expand access to justice for all. She emphasized the need to reduce the justice gap centering the voices and needs of those most marginalized in the community. Dr. Steve Akoth, NASCI-AJS Vice Chair, further reminded participants that this mission is bigger than reform. “We are not just tweaking systems,” he said. “We are reshaping the very experience of justice.” He further underscored the transformative potential of AJS, capable of navigating complex cases both within Kenya and beyond.
Guided by its mission to make justice more accessible and inclusive, the NASCI-AJS has focused on key target areas such as working closely with county governments, raising awareness and recognition of AJS, promoting human rights, and building the capacity of justice actors. It has also formed strong partnerships, reached diverse communities, and impacted countless lives across the country. These exercises center on AJS as an innovative tool and normative practice through which social transformation can be achieved by expanding access to justice. Participants systematically analyze the nature, scope, trends, and jurisprudential significance of decisions rendered through mediation and AJS in Kenya in advancing access to justice.
At the end of the workshop, two reports were developed on outputs and outcomes, offering a snapshot of the journey and achievements of the NaSCI-AJS since 2020. Among the highlights are the development of ten County Action Plans for AJS—eight of which have already been launched—and the successful setup of fifteen AJS suites. The committee has also brought people together through three national AJS conferences held between 2022 and 2024. Through training sessions, webinars, and outreach efforts, over 10,000 justice practitioners and users have been empowered with the knowledge and tools to better serve their communities.
KELIN remains committed to working with its partners towards actualizing the spirit of Article 48 and 159 2 (c) of the Constitution, with the main aim of building stronger relationships with both state and non-state actors to advance equal access to justice for all.
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For more information, please contact.
Trevor Mwangi | Program Associate,
Women Land & Property Rights
P.O. Box 112 – 00202 KNH Nairobi,
Tel: 020, 2515790 │Mobile: +254710261408
Email: Trevormwangi@kelinkenya.org
