Mount Kenya University’s Institute of International and Development Law (IIDLAW) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Women Global Network (AWGN), marking a significant milestone in advancing legal education, access to justice, and community empowerment across Kenya.
The partnership brings together the strengths of both institutions to promote high-quality professional legal training while expanding access to justice for vulnerable and marginalized communities. Through the collaboration, IIDLAW and AWGN will integrate legal aid with education, empowerment, and other support services that equip individuals with the knowledge and confidence to understand, assert, and protect their rights.
The MoU establishes a collaborative framework that will support joint initiatives in legal education, community outreach, research, policy advocacy, and capacity building. It also creates opportunities for experiential learning, enabling law students and legal professionals to apply their knowledge through community-based legal clinics and public interest initiatives while strengthening the University’s commitment to socially responsive legal education.
The agreement was signed by Mount Kenya University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, and Ms. Eunice Nyokabi, Founder of the African Women Global Network (AWGN) and a proud alumna of Mount Kenya University. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Ms. Judy Ngayu, Principal of IIDLAW, alongside representatives from both institutions, reaffirming their shared vision of promoting justice through collaboration and innovation.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the partners noted that their collaboration has already begun yielding meaningful results. A recent joint legal aid and legal clinic outreach conducted in Mukuru Kwa Reuben informal settlement successfully provided residents with legal information, advice, and support on a range of legal issues. The initiative demonstrated the transformative role of community-based legal services in addressing barriers to justice while giving law students practical exposure to real-world legal practice.
Going forward, the partnership seeks to scale up similar outreach programmes by expanding legal awareness campaigns, strengthening legal aid services, and fostering community engagement initiatives that respond to the evolving legal needs of underserved populations. The collaboration also aims to support research and policy dialogue on issues affecting access to justice, human rights, and sustainable development.
The partnership reflects Mount Kenya University’s continued commitment to producing socially responsible legal professionals and strengthening strategic collaborations that create lasting impact. By combining academic excellence with community service, IIDLAW and AWGN are advancing a shared mission of promoting social justice, protecting human rights, and empowering communities through accessible legal education and advocacy.