The purpose of this study was to look at how poverty is an impediment to access to justice here in Nairobi. The study was guided by the following research questions: What is the concept and rationale behind access to justice? What is the history of access to justice in Kenya? Is poverty an impediment to access to justice for persons living below the poverty line in Nairobi, Kenya? Looking at both past and current legislation relating to access to justice, has there been an improvement in the process of accessing justice for the poor?
Gov’t committed to enhance access to justice
The Government is committed to improving access to justice by poor and marginalized Kenyans amidst new challenges generated by the Covid-19 pandemic through increasing uptake of free legal services offered by the state owned National Legal Aid Service (NLAS).
Topic three – Key components of the right of access to legal aid
The United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems ( UNPG) provide that States should “guarantee the right to legal aid in their national legal systems at the highest possible level, including, where applicable, in the constitution” (2013, Principle 1). Principle 2 further provides as follows: