The University of Embu’s School of Law was privileged to host Hon. Justice (Prof.) Joel M. Ngugi, Judge of the Court of Appeal and Chair of the National Steering Committee for the Implementation of AJS Policy, for a Public Lecture on 26th February 2026. Addressing an audience of farmers, farmer representatives, representatives of local administration, legal practitioners, scholars, and students, Justice Ngugi explored the theme “Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) and Access to Justice Under Kenya’s Transformative Constitution,” emphasizing that AJS is not merely an alternative, but a central pillar in reconstructing a more inclusive and just society.
During the discourse, Justice Ngugi highlighted that while only 17% of Kenyans seek redress in formal courts, a significant 64% utilize alternative systems, which offer more accessible and holistic resolution mechanisms. He underscored that Article 159(2)(c) of the Constitution mandates the judiciary to promote—rather than regulate—reconciliation, mediation, and traditional dispute resolution. By providing “multiple doors” to justice, AJS ensures that the law is an emancipatory tool rather than a weaponized barrier to rights.
The session concluded with a vibrant plenary where Adv. David Njoroge, Vice Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, noted the growing professional opportunities for the younger generation in arbitration and mediation. This lecture served as a critical academic and professional milestone for the School of Law, reinforcing the University’s position as a hub for transformative legal thought and the promotion of community-based justice mechanisms.
Embu Council of Elders following the Lecture.
Dr. Johana Kambo, Dean School of Law, during the opening remarks