Kenya has unveiled a new push to take legal services closer to communities that have long struggled to access justice, following a partnership between Attorney-General Dorcas Agik Oduor and betting firm Bangbet to roll out Mobile Legal Aid Centres across the country.

The initiative, which will be piloted in Machakos County before being expanded to all 47 counties, aims to plug persistent gaps that leave many Kenyans—especially in rural and marginalised areas—unable to seek legal help due to distance, cost or lack of awareness.

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A first for Kenya’s justice system

As Kenya’s first female Attorney-General, Ms Oduor has repeatedly stressed that justice must be felt on the ground—not just written in the Constitution.

Her vision for the project is anchored in a simple but powerful principle: that no Kenyan should suffer injustice because legal services are out of reach.

Each mobile centre—modelled from modified containers—comes equipped with:

• Two soundproof consultation booths
• A legal documentation and advisory area
• Facilities for virtual court hearings
• Solar power systems
• Wheelchair-accessible features

“These centres must become places where every Kenyan can be heard,” Ms Oduor has said in earlier remarks, underscoring her push for a more people-centred justice system.

Her leadership has helped shift conversations around justice delivery from bureaucratic processes to practical, humane support that meets citizens where they are.

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Bangbet’s role: Beyond corporate social responsibility

Bangbet is the main private-sector partner behind the initiative and has funded much of the infrastructure needed to get the centres on the road.

Its support includes:

• Purchasing and modifying the container units
• Electrical and solar power installation
• ICT and virtual court equipment
• Interior furnishings
• Public legal education support

The firm says the project reflects its belief that empowering citizens strengthens society.

“We see this as an investment in people, especially those who are often left behind,” a company representative said during the launch.

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Transforming lives, one case at a time

At the heart of the programme are the ordinary Kenyans who have, for years, faced legal challenges without adequate support.

The mobile centres are expected to help:

• A child seeking guidance in a difficult family situation
• A rural woman locked in a land dispute
• An elderly villager who cannot travel long distances for mediation
• People with disabilities who often struggle to access formal justice institutions

By bringing legal professionals directly to communities, the initiative seeks to bridge a gap that has historically denied many Kenyans the ability to resolve disputes peacefully and fairly.

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Public–private partnership as a model for social change

Once the Machakos pilot phase is complete, the programme will be expanded nationwide with support from State Counsel, volunteer advocates, paralegals and civil society organisations.

Analysts say the project is an example of how collaboration between government and the private sector can deliver solutions to long-standing social concerns, especially those affecting the most vulnerable.

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A new chapter for justice delivery

For many citizens, legal institutions often feel distant and intimidating. The Mobile Legal Aid Centres aim to change that—one county at a time.

A simple converted container now carries more than desks and equipment; it carries dignity, access and the message that the justice system can come closer instead of requiring citizens to go to it.

For Ms Oduor, the project marks a step toward a justice system that listens first—and acts with compassion.

And for the communities awaiting the mobile centres, it offers something many have wanted for years:
a justice system that feels human, reachable and truly Kenyan.