EMBU, June 16, 2026
National Land Commission (NLC) Vice Chairperson Hon. Dr. Julie Oseko, Commissioner Tiyah Galgalo, Commissioner Daniel Muriungi, and Director of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution Brian Ikol are participating in the 4th National Conference on Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) currently underway at the University of Embu in Embu County.
The five-day conference, running from June 15 to 19, has brought together judicial officers, policymakers, academics, community leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening access to justice through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
The conference is convened by the National Steering Committee on Alternative Justice Systems, chaired by Court of Appeal Judge Hon. Prof. Joel Ngugi. This year’s conference is themed “Data-Driven Pathways for People-Centred Justice in Kenya.”
The event seeks to advance the mainstreaming of Alternative Justice Systems as a complementary approach to the formal justice system. According to stakeholders, nearly 80 per cent of disputes in Kenya are resolved outside the courts through community-based mechanisms, making AJS a critical tool in promoting access to justice while helping to decongest the judicial system.
The conference also highlights the role of AJS in promoting restorative justice, social cohesion, and timely resolution of disputes, particularly among marginalized and vulnerable communities.
The National Land Commission is among institutions that actively utilize Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, especially in the resolution of land-related disputes. Through ADR, the Commission promotes peaceful coexistence, good governance, and social harmony while providing parties with a cost-effective and efficient avenue for resolving conflicts.
During the conference, Hon. Dr. Oseko chaired discussions under the Land Sector thematic area, where participants examined key issues affecting the implementation of Alternative Justice Systems in land governance. Among the topics discussed were record management and maintenance, policy development processes, the inclusion of women in AJS structures, legal empowerment of communities, and public education on land succession matters.
The first and second AJS National Conferences were held in Nairobi, while the third was hosted in Nakuru. Embu County is hosting the conference for the first time.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the outcomes of the conference will strengthen collaboration among institutions and communities, enhance access to justice, and promote sustainable dispute resolution mechanisms across the country.