Advocate Ekaterina Handa Calls for Increased Government Funding for Legal Aid as LSK Legal Awareness Week 2026 Begins

By Gedion Nzyoki -

Nairobi, Kenya | October 26, 2026 — Advocate Ekaterina Handa has called for increased government funding for legal aid programmes, the waiver of court filing fees for vulnerable citizens and reforms to make Kenya’s justice system more accessible to people who cannot afford legal representation.

Advocate Ekaterina Handa during an interview at Milimani Law Courts on Monday afternoon. Photo: Video screengrab.

Handa said the government should support legal aid initiatives that enable advocates to provide affordable legal services while earning reasonable remuneration, particularly for young lawyers seeking to build their careers.

Speaking during an interview at Milimani Law Courts on Monday afternoon, during the launch of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Legal Awareness and Legal Aid Week 2026, Handa outlined measures to strengthen access to justice. These include improving court administration, expanding alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and ensuring fair treatment for litigants representing themselves in court.

She emphasised that access to justice should not depend on an individual's financial ability to hire a private advocate.

Handa Calls for Government Funding of Legal Aid

The seasoned advocate urged the government to fund legal aid programmes to ensure vulnerable Kenyans can obtain legal assistance while creating opportunities for young advocates to gain professional experience and earn an income.

She argued that lawyers who volunteer their time and expertise to assist disadvantaged members of society should receive appropriate support, noting that such programmes would benefit both legal practitioners and the communities they serve.

“It is the time for the government to fund legal aid programmes so that young advocates then can take advantage of those programmes and not entirely without any fees, but with some fees that is reasonable for the younger advocates,” Handa said.

She explained that reasonable remuneration would enable young advocates to develop their professional skills while sustaining themselves financially as they provide legal services to people who cannot afford private representation.

According to Handa, legal aid remains an important intervention for citizens facing legal challenges but lacking the resources to seek professional assistance.

JSC Urged to Make Courts More Accessible

Handa also outlined priorities for the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), arguing that the administration of justice should accommodate all Kenyans, including those who represent themselves in court.

She noted that while the JSC does not directly compel advocates to take up pro bono cases, it can improve access to justice through the recruitment and deployment of judges and judicial officers across the country.

The Commission, she said, should also ensure that litigants without legal representation are treated fairly and can navigate court processes without unnecessary difficulties.

“The system must be made as efficient as any Kenyan then can access and use that system because there isn't really any excuse that your accommodation is given to any Kenyan who is not represented by an advocate,” Handa said.

She argued that people who cannot afford lawyers often face additional challenges because they must navigate legal procedures without the knowledge and experience of trained advocates.

Handa further called for greater consideration of vulnerable litigants represented by advocates providing pro bono services. She also proposed discussions on waiving court filing fees for the most vulnerable members of society, saying the issue deserved attention from both the LSK and the JSC.

“I also believe that the waiver of court filing fees for the most vulnerable members of society is an issue that should receive attention from both the JSC and the LSK,” she stated.

Advocate Pushes for Alternative Dispute Resolution

Handa identified alternative dispute resolution as another avenue for improving access to justice and reducing the cost of resolving disputes.

She urged the JSC to continue promoting mechanisms such as court-annexed mediation and negotiation, which can help parties resolve disputes without lengthy court proceedings.

According to her, these approaches can help conclude cases more quickly while reducing the financial burden associated with litigation.

LSK Expands Legal Aid Services to Vulnerable Communities

Handa said the LSK had consistently promoted legal aid and pro bono services as part of its commitment to ensuring that Kenyans can access legal assistance regardless of their financial circumstances.

Having been admitted to the Bar in 2007, she noted that legal aid days and Legal Aid Week had become regular activities through which advocates reach communities that might otherwise struggle to obtain professional legal advice.

She added that the LSK was collaborating with the National Legal Aid Service during this year's initiative to strengthen public access to legal information and legal assistance.

“Legal aid clinics are organised to ensure that even the most vulnerable members of society are able to access services and legal advice,” Handa said.

Prisoners to Benefit From Legal Aid Initiative

As part of this year's activities, the LSK plans to extend legal aid services to correctional facilities, including Kamiti Maximum Security Prison and other prisons across Nairobi.

Handa said the initiative would target inmates facing unresolved legal challenges while in custody. These include prisoners experiencing difficulties accessing court mentions, delays in having their cases heard and other outstanding legal matters requiring professional advice.

She noted that prison visits would enable advocates to reach people who might otherwise have limited opportunities to obtain legal assistance.

The initiative is intended to extend legal support beyond the general public to incarcerated people who still require assistance in navigating the justice system.

Handa Appeals to Advocates to Support Legal Aid Week

Handa called on advocates across the country to participate in the initiative, describing the provision of legal services to the public as part of their constitutional and professional responsibilities.

She urged lawyers already involved in legal aid programmes to continue offering their services and encouraged others to join the campaign.

“I encourage our colleagues those who are already here to continue participating in legal aid, and those who have not yet joined to temporarily put down their tools and come and join all of us for offering these services for the benefit of Kenyans,” she said.

Handa cited Article 48 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees access to justice, emphasising the importance of ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent citizens from seeking legal remedies.

She added that legal qualifications and practising certificates should be accompanied by a commitment to serving the public, particularly those unable to afford legal representation.

“Our practising certificates and the degrees that we own, they are not entirely acknowledgment of our knowledge. They are there because we pledged to provide services to Kenya,” Handa said.

LSK Takes Legal Aid Services to Nairobi Communities

The five-day Legal Awareness and Legal Aid Week runs from Monday, October 26, to Friday, October 30, under the theme “Community Advocates: Bridging the Gap Between People and Justice.”

The launch took place at Milimani Law Courts, followed by the flagging-off of a mobile outreach programme and a legal aid clinic at the Kenya National Archives.

Throughout the week, advocates will conduct community outreach activities in several Nairobi neighbourhoods, providing legal assistance and advice to residents while extending services to inmates in correctional facilities.

On Tuesday, October 27, the outreach programme will visit Makina Kanu Grounds in Kibera in the morning before proceeding to Kawangware in the afternoon. Legal aid services will also be provided at Industrial Area Prison.

On Wednesday, October 28, advocates will reach residents in Mukuru and Makadara, alongside legal aid services at Nairobi West Prison.

The programme will move to Kasarani and Kiamaiko on Thursday, October 29, while advocates offer legal assistance to inmates at Lang’ata Women’s Prison.

The outreach activities will conclude on Friday, October 30, with legal aid services at Kamiti Maximum and Medium Security Prisons in the morning.

The week will culminate in the 2026 Legal Awareness Week Gala Dinner and Awards, scheduled for Friday, October 30, at Emara Ole-Sereni in Nairobi from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.