Mount Kenya University’s School of Law is preparing to introduce doctoral studies to enable more legal professionals to earn advanced academic credentials locally.
The School’s Dean, Dr. Hezekiel Oira, reveals that this is part of the university’s drive to expand access to legal studies from diploma level to Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral levels.
“MKU will become the second private university in Kenya to offer this programme,” says Dr. Oira, referring to the doctoral studies.
He clarifies that so far locally, only two universities (one public and one private) train legal professionals to that level.
Dr. Oira says the school has been encouraged by the positive reception of its Master of Laws (LLM) programme, delivered through a blended mode of study. He explains that working people find this mode convenient for its interactivity as well as self-paced progression.
“It is an a la carte programme designed to meet diverse scholastic needs, styles and requirements – and is accessible in places and at a time individually chosen by learners,” he stresses, pointing out that universities in the UK and South Africa employ a similar mode of study.
“We prepare curriculum content for every lesson and post it for the students to access,” Dr. Oira explains, likening this to the recording of broadcast content for later viewing.
After studying the content, students answer questions weekly to confirm they have understood what they have read.
The Council of Legal Education accredited MKU School of Law to offer the LLM programme in 2022. The first intake was in May 2023, with three cohorts currently in session.
The MKU School of Law was established in September 2009 following approval by the then Commission for Higher Education. To date, it has admitted a total of over 2,500 degree and more than 1,600 diploma students.
The MKU School of Law has shaped the careers of thousands of former students. One of the school’s graduate, Dr. Fredrick Otieno Aoko, Esq, Advocate, Arbitrator, Mediator, says: “The practical experiences such as moot court competitions, legal aid clinics, and industry linkages, prepared me for a global legal landscape, enabling me to become an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a New York Attorney, and a member of esteemed international legal organisations.”
Another alumnus, Ms Eunice Nyokabi, is a qualified lawyer and a Certified Professional Mediator.
“MKU played a very big role in every decision I made in my career,” she says, and continues: “It sharpened my thinking, strengthened my voice, and deepened my commitment to justice. It wasn’t just about learning the law; it was about understanding power, advocating for the vulnerable, and realising that real change happens beyond the courtroom as much as within it. It taught me resilience, discipline, and the power of using knowledge for impact.”
ARTICLE BY EVANS ONGWAE
