Supreme Court of Kenya, Honourable Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u Receiving a gift from MKU Students
MKU Law Students and Faculty from Rwanda Tour Supreme Court and Legal Institutions in Kenya
Law students and faculty from Mount Kenya University (MKU) School of Law in Nairobi recently hosted their counterparts from Mount Kigali University School of Law in Rwanda, who were on a benchmarking tour of Kenya. The visit provided an opportunity for the Rwandan delegation to explore MKU’s facilities and engage with key legal institutions in Kenya, including the Supreme Court, the National Assembly, and the Law Society of Kenya.
The week-long visit began with a special lecture on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at the MKU School of Law in Nairobi. Titled Emerging Regional and National Issues on Alternative Dispute Resolution, the session featured a presentation by Ms. Jacqueline Waihenya, Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration, Kenya. She discussed the evolution of ADR in Africa, drawing lessons from traditional justice systems and highlighting emerging trends in the field.
At the Supreme Court of Kenya, the students were hosted by Honourable Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u, who lectured on the court’s jurisdiction, roles, and key jurisprudence. The delegation also toured the Judiciary Museum, exploring Kenya’s rich judicial history through preserved legal artifacts and documents.
Prof. Fructuose Bigirimana, Dean of the Mount Kigali University School of Law, shared insights into Rwanda’s unique Gacaca courts, a community-based justice and reconciliation system. The sessions were facilitated by MKU’s Centre for International and Development Law (CIDLaw), a research hub based at the university’s School of Law in Parklands.
Ms. Judy Ngayu, Director of CIDLaw, emphasized the importance of the exchange, stating, *“This session offered students comparative perspectives on legal systems and transitional justice. Students also engaged with arbitrators in a session designed to equip them with practical arbitration and mediation skills—critical tools in today’s evolving legal landscape.”*
Ngayu further revealed that CIDLaw is expanding its reach to serve Mount Kigali University’s School of Law, ensuring that both Kenyan and Rwandan students benefit from research opportunities, ADR training, and career development programs. *“Our mission is to bridge the gap between legal education and practice through research, policy advocacy, training in ADR, international and development law, as well as professional networking and mentorship,”* she added.
The visit also included a moot court competition, where 40 students—20 from MKU and 20 from Mount Kigali University—simulated real court proceedings to hone their advocacy skills. The competition was judged by experienced legal practitioners, providing the students with valuable feedback.
The delegation later visited the Parliament of Kenya, where they engaged in discussions on the origin, development, and impact of laws, as well as the legislative process and the roles of the National Assembly and Senate. A special focus was placed on devolution and the impact of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The students also planned to visit the Nairobi Industrial Area Remand and Prison to gain insights into Kenya’s correctional system. Key discussions centered on theories of punishment, sentence mitigation, prison reforms, and governance within the Justice, Law, and Order Sector (GJLOS) reform programs.
Additionally, the delegation visited the Rwandan Embassy in Kenya, where they explored international legal systems, global trends, and best practices in diplomacy and legal affairs.
Later in the week, the students were hosted at MKU’s Nakuru Campus, where Lawrence Karanja, former Chairman of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Nakuru Branch, delivered a keynote address. He shared insights into the role and activities of the LSK Nakuru Branch, his personal experiences as an advocate, and practical advice for law students.
Reflecting on the visit, Ngayu noted, *“So far, the visit has been insightful for our young people from Rwanda, but their counterparts are also learning. We hope to replicate this in the future, where we will have exchange programs allowing Kenyan students to visit Rwanda and see how the law is practiced there.”*
The benchmarking tour concluded with a farewell dinner, where participants expressed their gratitude for the enriching experience and the opportunity to build lasting professional networks.
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