More than 120 residents in Kisumu have been sensitised on free legal aid and representation.
The sensitisation conducted by the National Legal Aid Service seeks to put people at the centre of the justice system and ensure access to free legal services and representation.
“We assist citizens to draft documents, give them legal advice and represent them in court, without paying a single cent,” said Ezekiel Godia, an advocate in Kisumu.
NLAS is a state organ under the office of the Attorney General and State Law office.
The organisation is mandated to provide free legal advice, legal representation and promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to enhance access to justice.
Besides locals, over 2,200 inmates at Kisumu maximum prison in Kisumu were on Tuesday also sensitised to access to legal services.
Currently, NLAS has offices in 12 counties.
The free legal training was also conducted in Mandera, Marsabit, Mombasa and Tana River counties.
Nakuru, Isiolo and Garissa counties are scheduled to receive a similar training.
Some of the cases NLAS handles include, land disputes, succession matters and children cases.
“We handle an average of 300 cases in Kisumu every quarter. We also cover Siaya, Homa Bay and Kisii counties,” Godia said.
He urged residents to consider embracing alternative dispute resolution.
ADR is legally accepted as a means of seeking justice and can be used to solve cases of debts and assault.
Resolutions made in ADR are then taken to court, where they are adopted and judgement passed.
Godia said ADR not only reduces time to dispense justice but also restores cohesion.
He said cases such as defilement cannot be solved by ADR.
North West chief Martin Oindo said NLAS has helped to resolve land disputes and inheritance issues.
