In Kenya, refugees, asylum seekers, and members of the host community may access free legal assistance. Legal assistance incorporates services ranging from the provision of legal information and advice to court representation by an advocate.
In this article, we take you through the process and where to get legal assistance through your phone and at the office of the Attorney General in Kenya. A person may require legal assistance as a refugee, asylum seeker or as a Kenyan citizen when;
- Arrested or detained.
- Human rights have been violated
- Seeking legal custody or guardianship.
- Registering a business, cooperative, company or community-based organization (CBO)
- Forced to return to once a place his or her life is at risk or threatened.
- Formalizing marriage. Learn more here.
- Facing immigration-related cases.
- Acquiring or leasing property such as land, house or a car.
- Making inquiries relating to employment contract/agreements, land, housing among others.
When seeking legal assistance as a refugee or as an asylum seeker, you will be asked to show your identification documents. A refugee or an asylum seeker should carry a Refugee Identification Card or Proof of Registration (Manifest). However, if you do have your identity documents you may still access legal services.
How to receive legal assistance on your phone
Any person in need of legal assistance can now get legal advice through their mobile phones courtesy of Kituo Cha Sheria. Through an innovative platform called ‘M-Haki,” one can be assisted by a team of dedicated legal experts at Kituo Cha Sheria. You only need to send your concern as a text message in English or Swahili to 0700777333 and wait for a response.
M-Haki is able to gather questions from anyone and anywhere.
What is Kituo Cha Sheria?
Kituo Cha Sheria is a human rights non-governmental organization committed to helping the disadvantaged, poor and marginalized people in Kenya access justice. They have an online portal for FREE legal services, their SMS line (0700777333), and an office.
How to locate Kituo Cha Sheria offices
The organization’s Head Office is located at the junction of Ole Odume road and Argwings Kodhek road in Nairobi. To get to Kituo Cha Sheria using a Public Service Vehicle (PSV), get a number 46 Bus at Kencom Bus Stage in Nairobi CBD. No.46 buses are mostly Kenya Bus Service (KBS) buses that ply the Kawangware route. If you use a matatu, you can reach Kituo Cha Sheria offices by boarding No.46 matatus which are found at Railways Stage.
Once you board the bus or matatu, alight at Bangladesh Stage/Ole Odume Road. Kituo Cha Sheria is on the third gate on the left, opposite the Bangladeshi High Commission.
You can contact the head office through Mobile: 0734 874221, 0727 773991 or Email: info@kituochasheria.or.ke.
In Mombasa, Kituo’s Coast Region office is on Taratibu Street, Tudor, near Technical University of Mombasa, Adjacent to White Rhino Hotel.
The Kituo Cha Sheria contacts for the Mombasa office are; Mobile: 0731 129739, 0700 638379
or Email: msa@kituochasheria.or.ke
Kituo also have a Branch Office in Nairobi KCDF House, 4th Floor.
Chai/ Pamba Road, Off Juja Road,Pangani-Nairobi. You can contact this branch office through; Mobile: 0736 867241, 0720 806531 or Email: fmp@kituochasheria.or.ke
Receiving legal aid at the Office of the Attorney General
The office of the Attorney General in Kenya established the National Legal Aid Service (NLAS) with the mandate of providing legal advice and representation mainly to the poor, marginalized and vulnerable in the Kenyan society.
Refugees and Kenyan nationals can seek legal assistance from these offices by filling an application to receive Legal Aid Services Form NLAS1 that can be downloaded here.
The National Legal Aid Service has offices in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa Nakuru and Eldoret.
They can be contacted through their TOLL-FREE line – 0800720640.
The Nairobi offices are on KCF House, 9th floor along Mama Ngina street. Physical NLAS1 forms can be picked from their offices on Mondays to Fridays between 8:00am and 4:00pm.
If you have any questions, please write to us via the Julisha.Info Facebook page, Monday through Saturday from 08:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.