African Justice Leader Andrews Kananga Champions “People-Centered Justice” at Kituo Cha Sheria Strategic Plan Launch
NAIROBI — At the official launch of Kituo Cha Sheria’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, regional legal advocates and stakeholders gathered to celebrate over five decades of human rights defense in Kenya. A major highlight of the event was a compelling address by Andrews Kananga, who emphasized the urgent need for a collaborative and holistic approach to justice across the African continent.
Kananga, who serves as the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Forum in Rwanda and has been instrumental in shaping Rwanda’s legal aid policies and penal code reforms, delivered his remarks virtually. He spoke on behalf of the African Center of Excellence for Access to Justice (ACEAJ), a regional platform dedicated to advancing legal empowerment and people-centered justice systems throughout Africa.
Addressing the Kituo Cha Sheria board, management, and partners, Kananga praised the organization’s steadfast commitment to social transformation since its establishment in 1973. He noted that the launch of the new strategic plan was not just about unveiling a roadmap, but about reaffirming a shared commitment to human dignity and the empowerment of marginalized populations.
“The achievements highlighted in this plan speak for themselves,” Kananga stated. He lauded Kituo for providing legal aid and representation to tens of thousands of individuals, offering protection to refugees and internally displaced persons, and driving countless policy and legislative reforms. Kananga emphasized that Kituo’s work in empowering communities through paralegal networks and social justice centers has deeply “strengthened democratic governance and expanded the promise of justice for all Kenyans”.
Turning to the future, Kananga commended Kituo’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for its forward-looking and holistic understanding of modern justice. He specifically praised the plan’s strategic focus on emerging and complex issues, including climate justice, migration governance, economic and social justice, and organizational sustainability.
“The plan acknowledges that access to justice is inseparable from issues such as climate change, displacement, poverty, inequality, and accountable governance,” Kananga noted. He expressed strong support for the plan’s vision of an integrated, people-centered justice system, which he defined as one that is “accessible, inclusive, responsive, and transformative”.
A core message of Kananga’s speech was the necessity of collaboration and institutional resilience. He praised Kituo for recognizing that long-lasting impact requires strong organizational development, innovation, and resource mobilization.
Kananga stressed that the ambitious goals outlined in the new strategic plan cannot be realized in isolation. He issued a call to action for broader cooperation across all sectors of society. “They require collective efforts—governments, civil society, development partners, academia, communities, and citizens working together to build societies where justice is not a privilege for a few but a right enjoyed by all of us,” he urged.
Concluding his address, Kananga reaffirmed the ACEAJ’s solidarity and continued partnership with Kituo Cha Sheria. He expressed optimism for the next five years, looking forward to strengthening cross-border collaboration, promoting shared learning, and driving meaningful progress toward a fair and equitable society for all Kenyans and the broader East African region.
About The Author
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
