NAIROBI, Kenya – The Office of the Attorney General has unveiled plans to establish Legal Aid Centres across Kenya in a bold push to make justice accessible to all citizens, regardless of income or location.
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor said the initiative — dubbed “Justice at Your Doorstep” — seeks to bridge long-standing gaps that have kept many Kenyans, especially the poor and marginalised, from accessing legal services.
“High legal fees, complex court procedures, and long travel distances have kept justice out of reach for too many Kenyans,” Oduor said in a statement ahead of the official launch of the first centre in Machakos County on October 9, 2025.
She said the Machakos Legal Aid Centre will be the first of several planned facilities designed to bring justice closer to communities.
The centre will provide free legal services on common issues such as land disputes, succession matters, family conflicts, and child protection, while also promoting alternative dispute resolution to ease court backlogs.
Beyond in-person consultations, the new centres will harness technology to enhance access. Each will be equipped with internet-enabled computers and trained legal officers to help citizens file cases online, monitor progress through the e-filing system, and participate in virtual court sessions.
Oduor noted that the initiative aligns with the 2010 Constitution and the Office of the Attorney General Act, 2012, which mandate the state to uphold the rule of law and expand 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 Attorney General said the government intends to replicate the Machakos model nationwide to ensure every region benefits from free, accessible, and inclusive legal aid.
She also appealed to development partners, lawyers, community organisations, and citizens to support the effort.
“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.”
