Our Guest of Honour, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Administration,
The Honourable Attorney General,
His Excellency, the Governor of Nakuru County,
The Honourable Solicitor General,
The Principal Secretary, State Department of Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs,
The Principal Secretary, State Department for Correctional Services,
The Commissioner General of Prisons,
The Presiding Judge, Nakuru Law Courts,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
Today is not just another official engagement—it is a defining moment. A moment where we turn principle into practice, and promise into reality.
We are gathered here at Nakuru Main Prison not simply to open a centre, but to open doors—doors to justice, to dignity, and to hope. Because justice, as envisioned by our Constitution, must never be reserved for the privileged few. It must live and breathe for every Kenyan.
Article 48 of our Constitution places a solemn duty on the State: to ensure access to justice for all. Yet we know that access is not just about the existence of courts—it is about understanding rights, navigating systems, and having a voice that can be heard.
For those within correctional facilities, that journey is often more difficult. The physical walls around them can too easily become barriers to justice. But today, we begin to dismantle those barriers.
With the launch of this Legal Aid Centre, we send a clear and powerful message: that even in custody, one remains within the protection of the law. That justice does not stop at the prison gate.
The Legal Aid Act of 2016 was enacted to give life to Articles 19, 48, and 50 of our Constitution. It recognizes that individuals in correctional facilities are among the most vulnerable—and therefore most deserving—of legal protection and support. And legal aid is not just about standing in a courtroom. It is about empowerment
It is about:
- Giving inmates the knowledge to understand their rights,
- Providing guidance so they can make informed legal decisions,
- And ensuring that their voices reach the courts through properly prepared petitions and
applications.
In essence, it is about restoring agency to those who might otherwise feel invisible.
A Bridge to the Community
This Centre is not confined by these walls. Its impact will extend far beyond them.
It will serve as a bridge between the justice system and the people of Nakuru—especially the marginalized, the vulnerable, and those who often feel left behind.
We know that many disputes—whether involving land, family, or succession—can escalate into criminal matters when ignored. By offering legal aid at the community level, we are investing in preventative justice.
We are choosing mediation over conflict. Resolution over escalation. And ultimately, justice over injustice
Strengthening Our Reach
The journey toward a state-funded legal aid system began in 2008, with the establishment of offices across urban centres—including Nakuru. These offices have played a vital role in addressing family, land, and child protection matters.
Today, we take that vision a step further.
This Legal Aid Centre will act as a dedicated extension—focused on criminal justice within correctional facilities. It will work hand in hand with the Nakuru office to ensure no one falls through the cracks.
We will also invest in people—training inmate paralegals and prison officers to ensure continuous, informed, and compassionate legal support for those who need it most.
A Message to the Inmates and the People of Nakuru
This Centre belongs to you.
It stands as a symbol of fairness. A symbol that justice must remain balanced—regardless of status, circumstance, or uniform.
Because at its core, justice is not about where you are—it is about who you are, and your inherent right to be heard.
Let this Centre be a place of guidance, of second chances, and of renewed hope
Thank you.
And may God bless you all.
