AG challenges law schools to lead in constitutional implementation

Abstract

The Attorney General, Prof. Githu Muigai has challenged local law schools to be at the forefront in implementing the constitution in the country because they have requisite skills of interpretation.

Addressing staff, students, legal experts and other participants on Legal Education Policy Making and Implementation, a forum organized by the University to discuss the role of law schools in the implementation of the constitution, Prof. Muigai also advised the schools to embrace information technology and enhance sharing of intellectual resources with other institutions.

The AG spoke in a forum organized as part of the activities by the University to sensitize its stakeholders on the constitution. The University commenced constitutional sensitization activities on August 12th as a 100-day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), set to be completed on November 22, 2013.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George Magoha chronicled the role played by the University of Nairobi scholars in the drafting and implementation of the constitution. They included the late Prof. H.W.O. Okoth Ogendo, the Attorney General, Githu Muigai, the late Dr. Adronico Adede and Prof. Musili Wambua who were commissioners in the defunct Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC). Other members of staff contributed in different ways. He challenged UoN alumni who are spread in many sectors in the country to spread the gospel about the constitution. He said “this panel discussion seeks to catalyze discussions on the role of law schools in the implementation of the constitution.

He also said that the University was still considering the proposal to offer Constitutional Law as a common course to undergraduate students and called for partnerships among players in legal education to contribute to a deepened understanding of the Constitution and robust debates on its implementation.

Others who addressed the forum included the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) Vice-Chairperson, Dr. Elizabeth Muli who spelt out CIC mandate as monitoring and overseeing the implementation and challenged legal institutions to be centres of excellence that model the constitution. The Judiciary was represented by Justice Joel Ngugi, Director, Judiciary Training Institute who also made a presentation.