Who is a lawyer?
A lawyer is a
professional with qualifications in legal education either at the undergraduate or
graduate level. Legal education is the education of individuals who intend to
become legal professionals (lawyers) and related areas. Lawyers offer legal
advice to clients or represent individuals and businesses in legal matters.
What is a lawyer's
work environment?
Lawyers generally work
in offices. These professionals may also work within courtrooms representing
their clients.
What are some lawyer’s
career opportunities?
Lawyers are employed
by Government, academia, the private sector, and Non-Governmental Organizations
among other areas.
Typical areas of
employment include; law firms, advocacy organizations, banking institutions,
government departments, commercial firms, among other wide range of businesses.
With industry experience, graduates lawyers can also opt to start their own law
consultancy practice and related services.
How to become a
lawyer in Kenya
High school subject
selection
To pursue a career as
a lawyer, you will require good performance in the following cluster subjects.
- Subject 1 ENG/ KIS,
- Subject 2 MAT A / MAT B or any GROUP II,
- Subject 3 any Group III,
- Subject 4 Any GROUP II or 2nd GROUP III or
any GROUP IV or any GROUP V, (source; JAB/ Kuccps).
Candidates should have
at least a B (plain) in ENG/ KIS.
Education and
Training Routes
If you work hard and
score good grades in the above subject’s combination with an overall, KCSE mean
grade C+ (plus) and above, you can pursue this career directly in the
university (academic route).
However, if you do not
qualify for direct university admission for this career option, you can still
pursue it through a different route (technical route). Under the technical
route, you will pursue a diploma course that can help or enable you further
your education and become a lawyer.
So what course(s) can
you pursue in either route and eventually become a lawyer?
Academic route
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or similar
course(s)
Technical route
- An approved diploma in a relevant
discipline
Some important
skills to have
- Analytical skills
- Self-confidence
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Technical skills
- Listening skills among others
Best Universities
In Kenya To Study Law
Consider these
institutions if you want to study law in Kenyan universities:
1. Strathmore
University School of Law
Strathmore ranks among
the top law universities in Kenya. In 2017’s edition of the annual bar
examinations, this school registered the most exemplary performance. As other
universities in Kenya earned a pass rate going as low as 10 percent, scholars
here recorded the highest pass rate of 66 percent.
What’s more, the
school was among the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Law contest participants.
Catherine Penda, Mishael Wambua, and Maleehah Khandwalla won the John H Jackson
Moot Court, beating colleagues from Harvard University. They were the first
group from Africa to achieve this feat. Furthermore, they were also the
youngest winners.
As the best private
university in the country, This should be one of your most preferred choices to
study law in a Kenyan institution.
2. The University
of Nairobi School of Law
The University of Nairobi School
of Law was instituted in 1970 for Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) training programs.
Throughout this period, the institution has achieved numerous accolades and has
produced some of Kenya’s most brilliant lawyers.
The school also
teaches Ph.D. programs and Masters, producing some of the best graduates in the
profession. What’s more, it is the best university in the East and Central
African region, followed by Makerere University in Uganda.
Include this
university as a key option when seeking a school of law admissions.
3. Kenyatta
University School of Law
The KU branch is in
Parklands, along Chemilil road, in the capital city’s idyllic suburbs. Its
location offers students a secure and serene environment ideal for living and
learning. Furthermore, it can be easily accessed by both private and public
means considering the close proximity to the CBD.
The institution first
opened its doors on 12 May 2008 for its first 124 students, but it was until
the 27th of November 2009 that it was officially launched in a colourful
ceremony. Up to date, it has produced numerous successful lawyers, placing it
among the best universities to study law in Kenya.
4. Mount Kenya
University School of Law
MKU School of Law was established in 2009 but had to wait for an extra two years
before it was granted provisional accreditation. The institution aims to
produce highly competent graduates across different fields in the legal
profession, and their efforts have been fruitful.
Last year, Former Attorney
General Githu Muigai instituted a task force for assessing how students at the
Kenya School of Law did. Interestingly, MKU was the best performing private
university producing professionals with peak qualifications.
With this in mind, it
will not be hard for you to seek their admission form.
5. JKUAT School of
Law
JKUAT School of Law
cannot miss among the best Law schools in Kenya. It is at the Jomo Kenyatta
University of Agriculture and Technology, Karen Campus. Located off Bogani Road
in one of the city’s major leafy suburbs and it's ACE Building is in a serene
environment ideal for effective study.
The institution has a
moot court, internet-supplied well-furnished classrooms, a computer room, and
other outstanding features that characterize the country’s finest.
Other Universities
For Law Degree In Kenya
For an institution to
be licensed, it has to follow the accreditation procedure as outlined in Part 2
of Legal Education (Accreditation and Quality Assurance) Regulations, 2016.
Here are all the institutions in the country that have gone through the
subsequent licensing steps or have already applied, as per the CLEpublication on 18th June 2019:
1. Institutions
Offering Bachelor of Laws
- Kisii University
- Daystar University
- University of Embu
- Mt. Kenya University
- Strathmore University
- Kenyatta University
- Catholic University Easter Africa
- Riara University
- Jomo Kenyatta University
- University of Nairobi
- Egerton University
- University of Nairobi
- Kabarak University
2. Diploma in Law
- Mt. Kenya University – Parklands Campus
- Kisii University
3. Application for
Renewal of License
- University of Nairobi – Parklands Campus
- Africa Nazarene University
4. Application for
Licensing
- Kenya School of Law – Paralegal Studies
- Kenya Institute of Management – Law and
Management
Licensing for
Bachelor of Laws LL.B.
- Moi Unversity
- Chuka University
- UMMA University (Law and Sharia)
Licensing for
Masters of Law LL.M.
- Strathmore University
What About The
Kenya School Of Law?
This is the country’s
only bar school. Once you are done with your undergraduate degree in law from
any of the recognized institutions above, you will have to come here to prepare
for your admission to the Kenyan Bar.
KSL was established in
1963, and it was the country’s first and only law vocational training
institution. But with time, more universities in East Africa established their
faculties of law, hence there was a need to change the training is offered. As
a result, KSL was re-established in 1995 with a new aim of offering the
Advocates Training Program.
Whether you wish to
acquire an online law degree in Kenya or to attend classes full-time, you have
a variety of schools to choose from. Most of these institutions also offer
part-time law degrees in Kenya, hence you have different options to further
your studies in law.
Which ones do you find
to be the best universities to study law in Kenya? Kindly share your views in
the comments section below.
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