The Strathmore Law School academic trip to The Hague, Netherlands, began on March 22, 2025 for cohort 1 (Barristers) and on April 5th for the second cohort (Solicitors), marking the beginning of an unforgettable experience.

Arrival in The Netherlands

Upon arrival on Sunday morning, we were welcomed by the chilly spring weather, a sharp contrast to the warmth back home in Kenya. From Amsterdam, we boarded buses for the approximately one-hour drive to The Hague (Den Haag).

Along the way, the scenic view of the vintage buildings, leafless trees, and picturesque landscapes that signaled the transition from winter to early spring was captivating. For many, it felt like stepping into a Form 3 Geography textbook, where the Netherlands had been used as a case study for various topics. The Strathmore Law School academic trip to The Hague, Netherlands, began on March 22, 2025 for cohort 1 (Barristers) and on April 5th for the second cohort (Solicitors), marking the beginning of an unforgettable experience.

Through observing and appreciating our new surroundings, the process of adapting to the new Dutch environment gradually took root. One of the most striking cultural shocks was the Dutch cycling culture. Unlike in Kenya, where cycling is often seen as a performance, a low-income activity, or even an act of ‘trying to fit in’, cycling in the Netherlands is a way of life. Students seemed particularly fascinated by the well-organized transport system, where trams, cars, buses, and bicycles seamlessly shared the road. The coordination and infrastructure left us in awe, offering a testimony and experience that systems can work.

The Peace Palace and the International Court of Justice

The first official visit took us on a tram ride from Kneuterdijk to Vredespaleis (the Peace Palace), a significant landmark in international law. Students couldn’t help but marvel at the charm of The Hague’s streets as they passed by. Quaint, orderly, and rich with history. The experience felt almost cinematic.

It was as though we had stepped into the frame of a 1940s Mongolian film. Dreamlike, distant, and beautifully surreal. The Peace Palace houses several international law institutions, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), The Hague Academy of International Law, and the Peace Palace Library. Officially opened in 1913, the Peace Palace was initially built to house the PCA, created under the Hague Convention of 1899, with the aim of ending wars through arbitration.

The ICJ, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, plays an important role in resolving legal disputes between states and offering advisory opinions to the UN and its agencies. During the first lecture on international law, Sandra Bucha, a Strathmore Law School alumna and a Judicial Fellow at the ICJ, shared her career journey and expertise with the SLS students.

Her lecture on the Court’s jurisdiction was very informative, particularly the two types of jurisdiction: advisory jurisdiction, where the UN or the Security Council seeks the Court’s opinion on legal matters, and contentious jurisdiction, where the Court settles disputes between states that have consented to its jurisdiction. Sandra further explained the step-by-step process of filing cases at the ICJ, highlighting how states must explicitly consent to the Court’s jurisdiction before a case can proceed.

Students felt encouraged by how Strathmore Law School alumni, like Sandra, are impacting the global stage. Her presence at the ICJ reinforced Strathmore University’s commitment to excellence and international relevance, popularly dubbed #GoPlacesWithSU. While some of the team was at the Peace Palace, part of the team visited the Apostolic Nunciature of the Netherlands, an ecclesiastical office of the Catholic Church with the rank of an embassy.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration and Dispute Resolution

Later in the day, after lunch at a Kenya Cuisine, Mingle Mush (The name couldn’t be more Kenyan), the students returned to the Peace Palace to visit the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). Established in 1899, the PCA provides a platform for resolving state disputes through arbitration. The visit highlighted the flexibility, confidentiality, and mutual agreement inherent in arbitration as a method of dispute resolution, as opposed to traditional litigation.

For the SLS students, where Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a key area of focus through the Strathmore Dispute Resolution Centre (SDRC), this session was not just relevant, it was inspiring. The session reaffirmed that law isn’t confined to courtrooms; it can be a tool for peaceful dialogue and practical solutions. In a society where “I’ll take you to court” is often thrown around as a threat, this experience opened the Students’ minds to the power and potential of ADR. It deepened the passion of those who study law not for the practice of litigation, but for the strength of resolution.

Day 2: Learning and Diplomatic Engagement

The second day of the trip started with a virtual lecture on the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), where students got to understand how cross-border legal frameworks are created. The session covered key areas like jurisdiction and the application of law across countries, helping students appreciate the importance of legal certainty and predictability in international private law.

The following Activity was at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the global body responsible for implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention. The session began with a Kahoot!, led by Angeline Akinyi, a Kenyan professional at OPCW. This activity aimed to familiarize the students with key concepts related to chemical weapons and their global regulation.

The lecture at OPCW was delivered by Anne K. Glick, the Public Affairs Officer, who went into more detail about the definition and classification of chemical weapons. Ann taught about chemical weapons, including toxic chemicals and their precursors, munitions designed to deliver these chemicals, and the equipment used for handling or deploying them. The officer also explained the general-purpose criteria that allow states to possess certain chemicals for peaceful purposes, as long as the Convention does not prohibit those uses.

The day concluded with a visit to ‘Home’, the Kenyan Embassy in the Netherlands. Although the Ambassador, Hon. Halima Yussuf Mucheke, was away in Kenya during the Dutch King’s visit, we were warmly welcomed by Captain Anthony Ngugi Mayo, the Deputy Head of Mission. He spoke about Kenya’s diplomatic relations with the Netherlands and the critical role diplomacy plays in building global partnerships. With the Head of Legal at the embassy, he encouraged students to explore opportunities and career paths in diplomacy, reminding them that studying law can open doors far beyond the courtroom.

Final Day in the Hague

On the final day of the trip, the group visited the University of Groningen, one of the Netherlands’ most celebrated institutions, founded in 1614, where the students received a lecture from Prof. Panos Merkouris, a renowned expert in Interpretation and Dispute Settlement in International Law. His lecture centered on state responsibility, exploring key concepts such as obligations of conduct and result, ultra vires actions, and circumstances that preclude wrongfulness. Prof. Merkouris spoke about the distinction between an obligation of conduct, where states must exert their best efforts, and an obligation of result, which mandates a specific outcome. A Public International Law CAT followed the lecture to remind them that this was an academic trip.

Reflecting on the academic trip, Kwezi Mpyisi from Cohort 1 (Barristers) shared, “I have gained so much knowledge in Public International Law and had the chance to visit renowned institutions like the ICJ, which I had only heard of and admired as a law student.”
Naomi Awinya added, “Visiting places like the ICJ and OPCW was fascinating. I was able to network and meet professionals in these institutions.”

For Cohort 2 (Solicitors), Angela Karanja remarked, “The trip was an unforgettable experience. Eye-opening, adventurous, and the perfect mix of learning and enjoyment. It brought our class closer than ever before and created lasting memories.”

A Grand Finale in Dubai!
The SLS officially wrapped up their 2025 academic trip with a fun-filled day in Dubai. Students explored iconic spots such as the Burj Khalifa, the desert, and the Dubai Mall. At the same time, some even ventured downtown Dubai, where the vibrant East African presence felt like a mini Luthuli Avenue. The warm weather in Dubai was refreshing after the cold in the Netherlands. From intense academic sessions in The Hague to unforgettable adventures in Dubai.

This fantastic experience was brought to life through the dedication and behind-the-scenes work of the SLS Team. From helping students secure their Schengen and Dubai visas, booking international flights, planning visits to top institutions, arranging accommodations abroad, and coordinating all travel logistics both before and during the trip.
The success of the experience was made possible through collaborations and a lot of behind-the-scenes effort, led by Mr. Allan Mukuki, the Law School’s Partnerships Director, with the support of graduate assistants from the docket, and administrative support especially from the Law School Manager, Mr. Wesley Ooro and the guidance of the Dean, Dr. Jane Wathuta.Their commitment ensured that every detail was well handled, as the students collectively say, “Asante Sana Strathmore!”

Article by Evans Ijakaa