Abstract:
The need for justice in Kenya is ever growing with a large number of Kenyans being in a situation that requires a responsive justice system. However, indigent people are unable to have their legal needs addressed due to high costs of legal services. Most people are unaware of their rights and processes of seeking legal redress when violations occur. Although the Constitution safeguards the right to access to justice, the reality is that the disadvantaged people cannot access justice, afford legal representation, are unaware of their rights and redress mechanisms. Everyone is entitled to equal access to justice. Legal aid is important bridging the gap between the haves and have nots in accessing justice. The Legal Aid Act No. 6 of 2016 recognizes University legal aid clinics as legal service providers through provision of legal advice, representation, drafting of documents and legal literacy and enforcement. This paper looks into the challenges the indigents face in accessing justice and how University legal aid clinics can be used to mitigate the problem. This paper looks at Egerton University Faculty of Law Legal Aid Project (FOLLAP) as a case study in analysing the dual role legal aid plays in legal education. The primary argument made is that effective clinical legal education is attainable through efficient programmes for students under guidance of qualified practitioners. In doing this, the paper examines functional roles of legal aid clinics in other jurisdictions with legal aid for purposes of borrowing lessons intended to strengthen legal aid provision in Kenyan institutions of higher learning.
