The Working Committee on Legal Education Sector Reforms has submitted its recommendations to Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, proposing sweeping changes to enhance legal education in Kenya.
The committee, led by Kenya Law Reform Commission chairperson Christine Agimba, highlighted key areas for reform, including the harmonization of entry requirements, the regulation of advocates’ training programs, and the eligibility of East African Community (EAC) member states to practice law in Kenya.
Speaking at the report handover, Agimba emphasized the importance of streamlining legal education to address concerns raised by students and stakeholders. She underscored the need for a clear framework to ensure high-quality training for legal professionals.
Attorney General Oduor reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing reforms that will bridge existing gaps, enhance institutional capacity, and align legal education with national and international standards. “This report will be instrumental in strengthening legal education, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring a transparent and efficient system for training legal professionals,” she said.
Solicitor General Shadrack Mose urged the government to allocate more funding to the Kenya School of Law (KSL) to support seamless legal training and increase the number of advocates in the country. “Not all lawyers are advocates. We need funding for our law schools to ensure the legal education sector thrives,” he said.
Mose also called for the decentralization of law schools to all 47 counties, arguing that students from far-flung regions such as Kisumu, Mombasa, and Turkana face significant financial burdens traveling to Nairobi for legal studies.
The recommendations are expected to inform policy and legislative changes aimed at improving legal education and positioning Kenya as a leader in legal training within the region.
