NLAS Marks Inaugural National Legal Aid Day with Call for Equal Access to Justice
National Legal Aid Service (NLAS) Board Chairman William Musyoki Kimanthi giving his speech during commemoration of National Legal Aid in Eldoret
In a significant event held at the County Commissioner’s Grounds in Eldoret Town, Uasin Gishu County, the National Legal Aid Service (NLAS) commemorated the inaugural National Legal Aid Day with a resounding call for equal access to justice for all citizens, regardless of their economic or social status.
Mr. William Kimanthi Musyoki, Chairperson of the NLAS Board, delivered a stirring speech emphasizing the government’s commitment to upholding the principles of the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, which guarantees access to justice for all Kenyans. Musyoki reflected on the historical context of access to justice, quoting U.S. Supreme Court Judge Justice Hugo Black and highlighting the strides made since the promulgation of the Constitution in 2010.
Musyoki praised NLAS for its efforts in bridging the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged through initiatives such as mobile legal aid clinics and community legal awareness campaigns. He outlined NLAS’s vision to decentralize its operations and establish offices in all 47 counties, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with stakeholders to achieve this goal.
Acting Director Fresiah Githumbi reiterated NLAS’s commitment to ensuring equal access to justice for all citizens, irrespective of economic status. She highlighted NLAS’s achievements in providing legal aid services to over 5 million individuals and training more than 6,000 legal aid providers. Githumbi outlined NLAS’s future goals, including enhancing service quality and expanding nationwide representation.
The commemoration of National Legal Aid Day served as a platform to raise awareness about NLAS’s vital role in promoting equality before the law and ensuring access to justice for all Kenyans. The event underscored NLAS’s unwavering commitment to its mandate of providing legal aid services to the most vulnerable members of society.
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