Residents of Nyahururu town and its environs in Nyandarua County have described the activities of the currently happening Legal Awareness Week organised by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) as an eye opener and a boost to their legal and human rights knowledge.
Antony Muchemi, a resident from Nyahururu, is excited that the legal awareness week is providing an avenue for members of the public to be informed and guided concerning legal matters affecting them and how to get support, noting many are suffering for lack of such knowledge.
He noted that most of the time, aggrieved residents who wish to seek justice in court find it difficult because they are not conversant with court processes, sometimes ending up being duped by criminals pretending to assist, adding that the knowledge gained through the LSK initiative will be very helpful.
Muchemi, who visited the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights stand outside Nyahururu law court premises, particularly noted he was educated on legal matters related to disputes on land succession, noting he also learnt that KNCHR can offer mediation services to the disputing parties.
Another resident, Jane Wanjiru, also lauded the LSK for the initiative, citing that by visiting the tent, she was directed on steps to take concerning her case and felt that, through the advice, she would receive justice. She said she believed she was a representative of many women in terms of lack of legal knowledge while seeking justice, and the LSK initiative was of great benefit to them all.
Wanjiru noted most of the cases affecting the women are disputes that arise after the death of their husbands concerning land and inheritance, which she said advice from LSK and KNCHR would come in handy during filing the matters in court for legal redress.
The residents are also being offered an opportunity to register their complaints with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) under the same LSK initiative.
KNCHR has called upon members of the public to visit their stands within the court premises in their localities to register their complaints for legal advice and guidance.
Ms. Jecinta Kwamboka, a Kenya Commission on Human Rights (KCNHR) official, noted that the commission is working closely with LSK during the legal awareness week to offer free legal services as well as advise them on how to get justice, while at the same time receiving complaints from members of the public to assist on redress.
Ms. Kwamboka pointed out that a well-informed community on legal matters will be aware of areas of their rights violation and the steps to take to seek justice when need arises.
She noted that KNCHR is mandated to do investigations under its own initiative or after receiving complaints from members of the public as well as create public awareness on human rights, adding that they take the opportunity during legal awareness week, an annual event organised by LSK, to fast-track community awareness on their rights.
The official further noted that not only does KNCHR offer legal advice on matters related to court but also visits the community to teach people their rights and receive complaints.
The Legal Awareness Week runs for five days from October 28 to November 1st.
By Susan Wangechi
