THIKA– Mount Kenya University has signed a landmark agreement aimed at reshaping how legal disputes are resolved across East Africa and it’s doing so without the courtroom drama.
In a ceremony at the university’s main campus in Thika, MKU joined hands with three key legal institutions to promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) across the region. The partners include the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators–Kenya (CIArb), the Centre for International and Development Law (CIDLAW), and the South Africa-based ILI Centre for Excellence.
The goal is clear: to train a new generation of lawyers and professionals in resolving disputes outside the courtroom faster, cheaper, and with less public fallout.
“East Africa’s legal systems must adapt to a world that is changing fast,” said Prof. Githu Muigai, former Attorney General and keynote speaker at the event. “ADR is not just a convenience. It is a necessity in modern legal practice.”
An Expanding Field of Opportunity
Under the deal, MKU will provide the academic setting and student body. CIArb brings with it global networks and arbitration credentials. ILI-SACE offers experience in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance a fast-growing field in both law and business.
Students will have access to discounted certification courses, masterclasses, and regional moot court competitions. Legal professionals will benefit from Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes aimed at enhancing arbitration expertise across East and Southern Africa.
“This is about equipping our region with tools that are globally relevant and locally impactful,” said Swithin Munyantwali, Vice Chair of ILI-SACE.
Training That Reflects a Changing Legal Landscape
The partnership comes at a time when arbitration is gaining traction in Kenya. More businesses and individuals are opting to settle disputes out of court, citing speed, cost, and privacy.
But the field still suffers from a shortage of trained professionals.
“This initiative opens doors,” said Jacqueline Waihenya, Chairperson of CIArb-Kenya. “We need more homegrown arbitrators who understand the local context but are trained to global standards.”
MKU will also host high-profile legal forums, public lectures, and contribute to research in areas such as ESG compliance and arbitration in trade.
Students will gain exposure to regional events, including CIArb’s flagship ADR Week a major gathering for practitioners in the field.
Support From the State
The initiative also drew praise from the Attorney General’s office. Njeri Wachira, Deputy Solicitor General, urged students and legal professionals to seize the moment.
“Dispute resolution is changing. We must train for what’s coming, not just what’s been,” she said.
The agreement marks a bold step for a university often seen as a rising force in East Africa’s higher education sector. It also signals a growing shift in legal training from theory-heavy lectures to practical, solution-based learning.
In the long run, the partners hope the programme will not just educate, but transform how East Africa handles legal conflicts quietly, fairly, and efficiently.
