The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has published the names of universities authorized to offer law courses within the country. The notice, which appeared in local dailies on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, outlines the institutions that have met the rigorous standards set by the CLE for offering both undergraduate and postgraduate law programs.
Notably, only four universities have received the green light to offer Master of Laws (LLM) programs. These universities include:
- Strathmore University
- Mount Kenya University
- Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
In a surprising turn, the University of Nairobi, a prominent institution, was excluded from this list. Meanwhile, Kenyatta University has submitted an application for a license or renewal thereof to offer its Master of Laws (LLM) program, indicating a growing interest in expanding postgraduate legal education.
The CLE also released a list of universities approved to offer Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Diploma in Law programs. The universities authorized to offer the Bachelor of Laws program include:
- Africa Nazarene University
- Chuka University
- Moi University
- University of Nairobi
- Egerton University
- Kabarak University
- Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
- Strathmore University
For the Diploma in Law program, the following institutions have been authorized:
- Kenya Institute of Management
- Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
- Mount Kenya University
- Kisii University
- Kenya School of Law
This announcement marks a crucial step in ensuring quality legal education in Kenya. By setting high standards and selectively accrediting institutions, the CLE aims to produce competent legal professionals equipped to meet the demands of the legal field. The exclusion of the University of Nairobi from the list of institutions authorized to offer the LLM program may prompt a review and potential improvements in their postgraduate legal education offerings.
For aspiring law students, the updated list of accredited institutions provides clear guidance on where they can pursue their legal education, whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. It also underscores the importance of choosing accredited programs to ensure their qualifications are recognized and respected in the professional realm.
As Kenyatta University awaits the outcome of its application for the LLM program, the legal education landscape in Kenya continues to evolve, promising enhanced opportunities for students and strengthening the overall quality of legal training in the country.
