Did you know your rights? Are you aware of your legal entitlements and how to protect them?

In an effort to bridge the gap in legal awareness, Strathmore Law Clinic (SLC) has been on a mission to educate and empower marginalized communities across Kenya. For many in these communities, the law is a foreign concept, and the concept of seeking justice seems far beyond their reach. To address this, the Law Clinic launched the Legal Aid Caravan in 2023, an initiative designed to bring legal knowledge to remote corners of the country. The success of its inaugural journey saw the caravan travel to Samburu and Laikipia counties, where it began to make a real impact.

Building on the momentum and success of inaugural trip, the clinic expanded its outreach from 3rd to 9th November, 2024, continuing to deliver vital legal services to Isiolo County, one of Kenya’s most vulnerable regions, grappling with pressing issues such as land disputes, inter-community violence, teenage pregnancies, and domestic abuse.

To support this initiative, Stratizens and staff and the wider Strathmore Fraternity rallied together to contribute and donate through the Mia Kwa Mia Challenge. This fundraising campaign successfully raised significant funds and donations, which were crucial in supporting the clinic’s operations and activities throughout the caravan. Additionally, the clinic’s work was bolstered by strategic partnerships with KAS (Konrad Adenauer Stiftung) and IMPACT (Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation). These collaborations played a vital role in ensuring the success of the project, helping to cover various logistical costs, including accommodation, food for the communities, and the printing of human rights manuals.

Case by Case

From Leparua to Ngare Mara to Burat Ward, eager community members dressed in traditional Maasai attire flocked to the caravan’s stops, eager to learn about the law and understand their legal rights. The training sessions addressed a variety of legal topics, including property law, family law, and civil matters, offering much-needed insights into their legal entitlements. Through the human rights training sessions, the clinic team shared valuable insights with the community, using the Maa language to ensure accessibility. The training was expertly delivered by members of the IMPACT team, allowing participants to fully engage with the material. In addition to the group sessions, one-on-one consultations were organized, offering tailored support to individuals with specific legal concerns. To further expand their reach, the team also conducted door-to-door outreach, visiting residents in their own homes. This personal, hands-on approach enabled the clinic to foster deeper connections with the locals, ensuring that their concerns were addressed in a familiar and comfortable setting.

Despite the language barriers and the intense heat, the clinic’s team remained focused and determined. Even when the bus nearly got stuck in the sand at a seasonal river crossing, nothing deterred them from their mission.

A Visit to Lewa Conservancy

In addition to the community outreach efforts, the entire team had the chance to visit the Lewa Conservancy, where they were introduced to wildlife management and the symbiotic relationship between the conservancy and local communities. The visit provided a chance to understand the concerns raised by community members regarding land grabbing and encroachment by the conservancy. While these concerns had been voiced, the clinicians were keen to hear the conservancy’s perspective. The lecture offered valuable insights into the conservancy’s significant contributions to the region, including community development projects, and sparked ideas on how the clinic could potentially collaborate in advancing justice for the locals.

After the lecture, the team went on a stunning game drive, where they saw a range of wildlife in their natural habitat. Giraffes, zebras, and rhinos wandered the vast plains. The highlight, however, was seeing the elephants. These majestic animals are known for migrating through a specific path called the “corridor” to reach Mount Kenya during different seasons. Watching them move along their route was a beautiful scene to watch.

By: Charlotte Mwathi, Mercy Kimani and Sheena Kuchio.