Nakuru-based NGO Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG) has launched a project aimed at promoting access to justice by residents.
The project seeks to seal the gap that has been experienced where the majority of Kenyans at the grassroots level still face challenges in accessing legal aid services.
Speaking on Wednesday during the launch of the project dubbed ‘Promoting access to justice through provision of effective legal aid' in Nakuru, CEDGG CEO Mr Cornelius Oduor decried the high number of residents who still have a challenge in accessing justice.
Oduor said this was realised through the National policy framework that indicated that the majority of Kenyans cannot access the services of lawyers due to the expenses that come with the same.
The project will see the creation of awareness around matters of legal aid at the grassroots level in Nakuru County.
The project that is funded by UNDP-Amkeni Wakenya and being implemented by CEDGG in partnership with Wakili Mashinani will also see the establishment of modern legal aid centres where victims of human rights violations will be referred for legal support.
“Through the National policy framework, it was realised that majority of Kenyans cannot afford to pay the services of lawyers. Therefore, this project will help address the gap. In Nakuru, modern legal aid centres will be established where victims of human rights violations will be referred for legal support,” said Oduor.
Mr Oduor called on members of the public and media to embrace the same and help in creating awareness on legal matters in a bid to promote access to justice.
“We encourage the community leaders and the public to collaborate with us on this. The media is also paramount in creating awareness,” said Oduor.