CJ Willy Mutunga to lead lawyers in providing free legal services to Kenyans

NAIROBI, KENYA: The public will benefit from free legal services this week during this year's Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Free Legal Aid week.

Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga will lead over 7,000 lawyers countrywide in providing the free legal services, in an exercise aimed at providing thousands of Kenyans access to justice.

The exercise will kick off at the Milimani Law Courts Parking Yard in Nairobi from 9am Monday.

LSK Secretary General, Apollo Mboya said that 7,176 lawyers countrywide will offer free legal aid to members of the public from Monday to Friday.

"The objective of the Legal Awareness Week is to promote the mandate of the LSK by extending legal literacy and awareness to members of the public," Mr Mboya said.

The LSK free legal week is aimed at breaking barriers to legal aid that have traditionally closed the window to affordable services

Despite the courts having generally opened up during the country's new constitutional dispensation, various factors such as lack of information and exorbitant legal fees have conspired to deny millions of Kenyans access to justice.

The theme of the annual weeklong event this year is Justice Through Sustainable Legal Aid.

Mr Mboya said that the public will also be advised on various aspects of the law and civic education.

"Lawyers will be stationed at High Courts countrywide during the weeklong exercise," Mr. Mboya said.

The theme for last year's event was Access to Justice Through Pro Bono Representation.