The National Steering Committee on Implementation of Alternative Justice Systems Policy (NaSCI-AJS) of the Judiciary of Kenya visited Kabarak University on 18 March 2024 to explore collaboration on areas of common interest. The Judiciary team consisting of Prof Justice Joel Ngugi, Chair of the NaSCI-AJS and judge of the Court of Appeal, Dr Steve Akoth, Vice Chair of NaSCI-AJS and Ms Jemimah Aluda, head of the NaSCI-AJS Secretariat. The team was met by Kabarak University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof HK Kiplangat and other members of the Management Board, Prof John Ochola (DVC – Academic and Research), Prof Ronald Chepkilot (DVC – Administration and Finance), Rev. Justus Mutuku (Ag. Provost), Dr Anthony Somba, Registrar (Academic and Research) and Prof Simon Kipchumba (Registrar, Adminsitration and Human Resource). Also in attendance were Prof J Osogo Ambani, Dean of Law at Kabarak, Rahab Mureithi, Associate Dean of Law and Humphrey Sipalla, Editor-in-Chief, Kabarak University Press.
Prof Kiplangat welcomed the Judiciary committee team, recognising that their physical presence at Kabarak University and their willingness to explore partnership with Kabarak was an honour. He noted that Kabarak University is committed to training the highest cadre of human capital for Kenya and the world, and welcomed warmly the collaboration possibilities between the Judiciary and Kabarak University. He assured the NaSCI-AJS team of the constant support of his office and the University management.
Prof Kiplangat urged Prof Justice Ngugi and the members of the NaSCI-AJS team to make time to also visit the Law School and meet the law students, including giving a lecture so as to inspire the students to aspire to great academic and professional achievements.
Prof Ambani set the backdrop of the consultation visit, recalling that alternative justice systems have been ordained in the Constitution of Kenya (2010) in the recognition that the formal court system is not the only dispute settlement approach of our people. In fact, many Kenyan communities have long heard other very effective dispute resolution methods that ensure that community relations are preserved in the dispute resolution. Prof Ambani also mentioned that the School of Law has been planning to collaborate with the Kenya Judiciary Academy and Cardiff University to launch a unique masters programme. In addition, the School of Law has been in consultation with the NaSCI-AJS to consider closer collaboration in production and dissemination of knowledge on alternative justice systems, in collaboration with Kabarak University Press.
Prof Justice Ngugi opened his remarks by thanking Prof Kiplangat for the warm welcome. He noted that the Kenyan legal fraternity has noted the excellent improvements happening at Kabarak Law and urged the Vice Chancellor to remain committed to supporting the School of Law, which he noted was on course to be among the leading law schools in the region.
Prof Justice Ngugi then affirmed that it is precisely because of this notable excellence that the NASCI-AJS had identified Kabarak University School of Law as a potential knowledge partner for the research and dissemination of knowledge on alternative justice systems. Prof Justice Ngugi invited Kabarak to be one of the co-hosts of the 2024 Annual Alternative Justice Conference to be held in June 2024 in Nakuru as well as co-host a number of knowledge dissemination projects. Prof Justice Ngugi also invited the Vice Chancellor to give opening remarks as co-host at the opening ceremony of the 2024 AJS Conference which will be graced by the Hon Chief Justice Martha Koome.
Prof Kiplangat accepted the invitation and reassured the NaSCI-AJS team of hi support, and presented each of the three with a gift of assorted publications of Kabarak University Press.
After the meeting, the NaSCI-AJS team visited the School of Law premises and were impressed by the upcoming buildings, which they noted will position Kabarak University as a premier centre of learning.
The NaSCI-AJS is a multi-stakeholder committee that was launched by the former Chief Justice David Maraga on 9th December 2020 for a five year term to spearhead the implementation of the AJS Policy.
