MKU hosts Rwanda's Mount Kigali University students

Mount Kigali University students award a token of appreciation to Jacqueline Waihenya, the chairman Chartered institute of arbitration On Monday. [John Muchucha, Standard]

Students and faculty of Mount Kenya University have this week hosted their counterparts from Rwanda's Mount Kigali University who had been on a benchmarking tour of Kenya.

The law students toured not just MKU facilities in Kenya but also interacted with other legal institutions in Kenya including the National Assembly, the Supreme Court and the Law Society of Kenya.

On Monday, the students attended a special Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Lecture that was themed "Emerging Regional and National Issues on Alternative Dispute Resolution," delivered at the MKU Kenya School of Law in Nairobi.

Jacqueline Waihenya, the chairman Chartered institute of arbitration, Kenya, gave a lecture on the Evolution of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Africa lessons from Traditional justice and Emerging trends.

Prof. Fructuose Bigirimana, Dean of the MKU-R School of Law delivered an exchange lecture on the Gacaca courts, Rwanda's unique approach to community-based justice and reconciliation.

"This session will offer students comparative perspectives on legal systems and transitional justice," said Judy Ngayu Director Centre for International and Development Law.

The students also participated in a moot court competition, where they simulated real court proceedings to sharpen their advocacy skills before experienced legal practitioners.

A key area of discussion was the Judiciary Fund and its impact on judicial operations. The visit also included a guided tour of the Judiciary Museum.

At Parliament, students engaged in discussions on the origin, development, and impact of laws, the process of drafting and passing legislation, and the roles of the National Assembly and Senate.

"So far, the visit has been insightful for our young people from Rwanda but their counterparts are also learning. We hope to replicate this in future," said Ngayu.

The students are on Wednesday expected to gain insights into Kenya's correctional systems with a visit to the Nairobi Industrial Area Remand and Prison.

Later, students will visit the Rwandan Embassy in Kenya, where they will engage in discussions on international legal systems, global trends, and best practices in diplomacy and legal affairs.

Later in the week, the students will be hosted at the MKU Nakuru Campus where Lawrence Karanja, former Chairman of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Nakuru Branch, will deliver a keynote address.