LSK to offer Free Legal Aid to the Public during Legal Awareness Week

Nairobi,

Monday October 23, 2003

KNA by Stephanie Ndunge and Carol Mawia

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has set aside a whole week for lawyers to provide free legal services promising to put people at the centre of the justice system and address prison overcrowding while ensuring access to legal services and representation for inmates.

LSK advocates for Pro bono work which embodies the spirit of selflessness and dedication to the ideals of justice that are the cornerstone of the profession by providing legal aid to those who cannot afford it make justice system more equitable.

Speaking at Milimani Law Courts, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Renson Mulele said that the initiative will provide an opportunity to audit the criminal justice system and its responsiveness.

He commented on the Nation Legal Aid for the tireless effort to champion access to justice.

“It is unfortunate that the recent audit of the criminal justice system in Kenya revealed that it is skewed against the poor. This arises as such acts of criminalization of poverty, excessive bail terms and habitual re-arrest by the law enforcement officers against the indigent in the society,” stated Mulele.

The DPP said the agenda this year emphasises the role of the 21st century prosecutor which goes beyond case processing and conducting trials that includes analysing societal issues and implementing crime prevention modalities and solutions through community engagement and participation.

“Statistics show that the prison population in Kenya is estimated at 58,897 in 134 prison facilities whose maximum holding capacity is 34,000 people,” Mulele said.

At the same time, the President of LSK, Mr Eric Theuri maintained that their aim is to engage in a conversation that will go beyond prison officers, offenders and victims towards a system that is fair and to break the cycle that creates reoffending and turning prisons into a criminal academy.

“When you go in, you go less of a criminal, and come out having graduated with better skills and how to beat the system,” he observed.

Meanwhile, FIDA Chairperson Nancy Ikinu described the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA KENYA) as a non-profit, nonpartisan and nongovernmental membership organisation committed to the creation of a society that is free from all forms of discrimination against women through provision of legal aid, human rights monitoring, advocacy education and referrals.

“FIDA Kenya has been able to defend justice to the affected women through the flagship program, self-representation training and psychosocial support,” added Ikinu.

In a speech read on her behalf by LSK Vice-Chairperson Faith Odhiambo, Ikinu urged the prison facilities to strictly adhere to the 9 thematic areas in the United Nations Standard for minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners (Mandela rule) and through them particularly highlighting the need for standards of health care that are available in the community and providing necessary healthcare services to prisoners free of charge without discrimination.

Courtesy; KNA