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EU donates Sh845m to offer free legal aid for vulnerable

Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 05:08 | By
Legal counsels Led by Mutegi Mithumi PHOTO/Courtesy

European Union has disbursed Sh845 million to offer free legal assistance to vulnerable communities in the country.

Funds from the EU will support those facing challenges of succession, constitutional petitions, sexual offences, land disputes, eviction, child neglect and divorce matters.

The team is dealing with all matters except taxation, debt recovery, bankruptcy, defamation and those involving artificial persons (companies). Programme for Legal Aid Delivery in Kenya is undertaking the project.

Dr Chimwemwe Mang’eni, in charge of the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery  said Sh300 milwill be used in other technical services and support staff, while the rest is to pursue justice.

Project is being implemented in 12 select counties.

Two advocates in charge of legal services, Ann Wainaina and Mutegi Mithumi, disclosed that about 2.2 million indigents had benefited from the programme.

“We are witnessing more interested cases coming up from vulnerable communities, which we are reviewing to help,” Mang’eni said.

Regional Coordinator for National Legal Aid Services (NLS) Ezekiel Mudavadi, based in Kisumu, disclosed that 90 per cent of the cases they received were related to land succession, sex offense, divorce and property tussle or evictions.

In Kisumu alone, they had facilitated over 300 cases, which is currently being legally addressed.

Mudavadi spoke as the NLS Chair Grace Thuku said the agency seeks to sensitise the public on legal issues that commonly affect them.

“We render free legal services through subjecting the cases to alternative dispute resolution, mediation sessions. We also refer them to advocates through our paralegals to seek redress in court,” she said.

Officials spoke during the launch of a mobile legal aid clinic at Kisumu’s Nyalenda information settlement on yesterday.

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