Kiambu Women Representative aspirant and lawyer Phylis Wangui./AMOS NJAUKiambu Woman Representative aspirant and lawyer Phylis Wangui has launched a free legal aid programme to help residents understand their rights and access justice without the burden of legal fees.
The initiative is intended to bring legal services closer to residents who face financial constraints or lack information about available legal remedies.
Under the programme, residents will receive guidance on family disputes, land matters, succession, employment concerns, gender-based violence and other civil and criminal cases.
Speaking during the launch, the aspirant said many residents continued to suffer injustice because they were unaware of their rights or could not afford legal representation.
"I'm ready to offer free legal services to all residents of Kiambu irrespective of their place of origin. I will educate them on how to navigate legal roadblocks and solve day-to-day family issues," she said.
She further said the programme would empower vulnerable members of the community by providing reliable legal information and referring them to relevant institutions for further assistance.
Wangui further said the programme was also designed to tackle increased gender-based violence in families.
She said she would hold numerous meetings at the village level to educate residents on the importance of good living and a proper family setup.
"I'm ready to liberate our people by giving free services to ensure they live a comfortable life," she said.
The legislator said access to justice should not depend on a person’s financial status, adding that residents deserved an opportunity to understand the law and pursue remedies when their rights were violated.
She said the programme would work with legal professionals and other stakeholders to ensure residents received accurate advice and support in handling their cases.
She added that the initiative would also create awareness about the importance of seeking legal advice before making decisions that could lead to prolonged disputes or legal complications.
Locals, led by Mary Wambui from Githunguri, welcomed the programme, saying it would help people who had been forced to abandon legitimate claims because they could not afford legal services.
She called for the services to be extended to all parts of Kiambu County and held regularly to reach more residents, particularly those in rural areas.
"The launch marks an effort to improve access to justice and promote legal awareness across Kiambu County," she said.
