On 8th and 9th August 2024, KELIN in collaboration with the National Steering Committee on Implementation of Alternative Justice Systems Policy (NASCI-AJS) retreated to Nakuru-Kenya to develop a comprehensive singular report for the 3rd Annual National Alternative Justice System (AJS) Conference that was held between 4th and 7th June 2024 in the same county.
The meeting’s objective was to collate the various reports written by 15 rapporteurs engaged at the 2024 AJS Conference into one document depicting the success stories and real-life changes within the landscape of dispute resolution on varied issues including land and property rights as a direct result of the growing use of alternative justice systems across the country. The meeting also provided a unique opportunity to reflect on key lessons from two previous annual AJS conferences held in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
The NASCI-AJS is a multi-stakeholder committee comprising of both State and non-state actors, with a mandate to promote informal or alternative justice systems including traditional mechanisms pursuant to Article 159 of Kenya’s Constitution, 2010. In his opening remarks, the appellate Judge, Justice (Prof) Joel Ngugi, the Chair of NaSCI-AJS, reiterated the importance of AJS in facilitating access to justice and the role of partners such as KELIN in creating a bridge between the communities and the judiciary. The learned judge also observed the importance of the reporting exercise noting that proper documentation is essential for learning purposes especially for those who did not have an opportunity to attend the conference.
KELIN, an NGO that promotes human rights and health advocacy domestically and regionally, has continuously utilized alternative justice systems to promote land dispute resolution and fight for the rights of women to own property in Kenya. In particular, KELIN has championed rights of widows and other women who are discriminated against from owning land and property on the basis of their gender or community customary beliefs. KELIN remains committed to implementing the AJS policy at the community level alongside like-minded practitioners to ensure access to justice is exhaustive and all community voices are taken into consideration in the implementation process. We have so far engaged over 430 practitioners nationally on AJS conversations that build their capacity and offered support for them to retrain their peers and sensitize communities to build a grassroot network of justice champions.
The final report to be developed from this meeting will offer insights into the three conferences so far, particularly documenting lessons learnt and best practices. The findings of the report will be a valuable and indispensable tool for planning smarter and more streamlined AJS events in the future.
Group photo of the report writing team led by NaSCI-AJS Chair Justice (Prof) Ngugi (seated center), Vice Chair Dr. Akoth (2nd left) and KELIN staff.
To contribute to the discussion, follow KELIN on our social media platforms.
Twitter: @KELINKenya http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
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
