Support Survivors

Thank you for your prayers, conversations, encouragement, and support for Justice Pamoja.

Last week, we took bold steps forward—and we need your help to take the next ones.

On Tuesday, November 25th, nine Kenyan law students and recent graduates joined a webinar to discuss the problem of domestic violence in Kenya and around the world. They heard from practicing lawyers from Kenya, Uganda, and the United States, and made a personal commitment to use their legal skills and passion to build a safer Kenya.

On Saturday, November 29th, these same students—alongside several experienced mentors—organized a legal aid clinic in Githurai, an informal settlement on the outskirts of Nairobi. Close to 100 Community members came to learn about their legal rights in the face of domestic and community violence. Many stayed to meet one-on-one with a legal advocate.

One attendee called it “the best event I have ever attended” and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to meet lawyers who cared about her situation. She requested, and was allowed the opportunity to address the other attendees, and to “share my story in pubic for the first time.”

How many of these women can we help? That depends, in part, on you.

There are talented young lawyers eager to serve. There are seasoned advocates ready to guide them. But meaningful legal work requires more than passion—it requires resources.

Justice Pamoja offers legal services free of charge, but we reimburse transport, filing fees, and meals on days our teams go to court. We budget 10,000 Kenyan shillings (about $80) for a full-day court appearance. While all Justice Pamoja attorneys provide legal services without charging any fees to the clients, we believe it’s essential to honor their commitment and ensure no one is left behind because of financial constraints.

In our work so far, we have identified 5 potential clients, each with complex and urgent legal needs. Each has been given a pseudonym:

"Rose" has endured physical abuse throughout her 10-year marriage, especially during pregnancy. Her parents have urged her to remain, seemingly for financial reasons. We’ve identified five possible legal actions:

• Divorce
• Child support
• Compensation for unpaid labor in her husband’s business
• Civil assault
• Victim representation in criminal proceedings.

We estimate these cases could span five years, with $800 needed in the first year to ensure Rose receives meaningful support.

“Imani” – Unresolved Death of a Child

Imani’s child died under suspicious circumstances. Although the case appears on the court list, it has not moved forward. She is confused, grieving, and desperate for answers. A Justice Pamoja advocate may be able to assist by visiting Makadara Law Courts, clarifying the status of the inquest, and ensuring the matter does not fall through the cracks. This case deserves further review and might be resolved in a single hearing.

“Caroline” – Land Rights & Family Property Theft

Caroline is fighting to protect her family’s inheritance after relatives attempted to sell the remaining land without her consent. She seeks a court-issued caution to prevent illegal transfer.

“Charlotte” – Sentencing Review for an Imprisoned Son

Charlotte’s son is serving a three-year sentence following a recent conviction. She believes the case was mishandled and is requesting support to file a revision or appeal. This would require obtaining court proceedings, the judgment, and the charge sheet — and likely multiple hearings at the High Court. Assisting Charlotte in this case would demystify the judicial process for her, making it easier for her to seek legal remedies for other matters.

“Amelia” – Survivor Empowerment & Peer Support

Amelia, a survivor of severe domestic violence, came to the clinic not for immediate legal action but to share her story — including a previous assault that left her with burns and long-term trauma — and to encourage other women. She expressed a desire to help create a safer community for those facing similar harm. She also asked for a follow-up call; there may be more to her story.

We’ve promised to follow up with every potential client within two weeks. For those we cannot represent directly, we’ll provide referrals to other legal aid organizations and share self-help resources. It’s not ideal—but we’re committed to quality representation for every client we accept.

“$5 = transport for a student to attend a legal aid clinic $80 = 1 day in court. $800 = 1 year of justice for Rose.”