Attorney General Dorcas Oduor on Wednesday held a consultative meeting with key stakeholders from the sector reforms as part of her plans to address the longstanding issues affecting law students.
They have specifically raised concerns on admission criteria for law students to the advocates training programme, and transparency of the examination process administered by the Council of Legal Education (CLE).
Last month, the students threatened protests citing frustration and deliberate efforts by the CLE to mark down their tests and delay their admissions.
Other issues which have been the source of concern for the students are the fees chargeable for law students for the advocates training programme and budgetary support for needy students seeking to enroll on the advocates training programme under Kenya School of Law (KSL).
The meeting also deliberated on the budgetary allocation for the KSL and CLE.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president, chairpersons of KSL and CLE and the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC) including respective CEOs were present.
In a statement issued following the meeting, it was agreed that a working committee to be led by the KLRC chairperson be formed to facilitate timely response to the issues.
“It will consolidate and harmonize the concerns raised by students, including the implications of the various court pronouncements on the subject matter,” it reads.
The committee is expected to develop a report within two months, that will inform the implementation of the requisite reform interventions.
“...including the recommendations as enumerated in the Taskforce Report on the Legal Education Sector Reforms,” it adds.
The committee was also tasked with collecting views, and proposals from the public, in particular the affected students.
Oduor reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the legal education system remains "of the highest standard and that the concerns of all stakeholders, particularly students, are addressed".
