ATTORNEY General Mulilo Kabesha has disclosed that government funding to the Legal Aid Board has increased from approximately K19 million in 2021 to over K101 million in 2026, enabling the expansion of legal aid services from 12 to 31 districts.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice has launched the National Policy on Legal Aid and its 2026-2030 Implementation Plan, aimed at further expanding access to justice for vulnerable citizens.
Speaking during the launch, Friday, Kabesha said the increase in funding demonstrated government’s commitment to ensuring that access to justice becomes a reality for all citizens.
“These are not merely stories. These are legal challenges that affect families, livelihoods, and public confidence in our justice institutions. This is why government continues to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that access to justice becomes a reality for all. The 2018 National Legal Aid Policy laid an important foundation for reform, including the enactment of the Legal Aid Act No. 1 of 2021, which strengthened the legal framework for legal aid delivery. However, we recognised that more needed to be done. Access to justice requires not only laws and policies, but also investment, strong institutions, partnerships, and sustainable systems. The commitment to legal aid by government is demonstrated through the unprecedented support provided towards strengthening legal aid services,” he said.
“Today, government funding to the Legal Aid Board has increased from approximately K19 million in 2021 to over K101 million in 2026, enabling the expansion of services and strengthening institutional capacity. During this period, Legal Aid Board offices have expanded from 12 districts in 2021 to 31 in 2026, bringing legal assistance closer to more communities. This development and progress represent government’s belief that justice is a right for every citizen”.
He added that the policy also seeks to expand the Legal Aid Board’s presence from the current 31 districts to all districts by 2030.
“It also strengthens decentralised service delivery through legal services units, legal aid desks in police stations and correctional facilities, and circuit legal aid clinics, moving justice closer to the people. The delivery of legal aid cannot be achieved by government alone. The policy embraces a pluralistic legal aid model, bringing together government institutions, civil society organisations, legal practitioners, university law clinics, paralegals, and traditional leaders. In our rural areas particularly, community paralegals continue to play a vital role as the first point of contact for many citizens seeking legal assistance. This policy therefore recognises their contribution and provides a stronger framework for their integration, accreditation, coordination, and professional development,” said Kabesha.
“The policy also strengthens pro bono legal services through increased participation of private legal practitioners. Allow me, therefore, to appeal to my learned colleagues in the legal profession. Let us continue to embrace our responsibility to serve those who cannot afford representation. Every hour devoted to pro bono service is an investment in justice, dignity, and the protection of constitutional rights, which is our noble calling”.
