By Effie Okola

Since 2017, USIU-Africa’s Division of Legal Services has organized an annual Legal Awareness Workshop on campus to inform the community about pressing legal issues affecting both individuals and corporate citizens. In 2024, this initiative evolved into a Legal Aid Clinic, expanding access to legal services for the broader community in line with the “Service Excellence and Community Engagement” goal outlined in the 2021–2026 Strategic Plan.

On March 27, the second edition of the institution’s Legal Aid Clinic was held under the theme #WakiliAQuickOne and attracted attendees from various walks of life drawn together by a shared passion for justice and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. The event was also graced by international guests from the University of Warwick, who were in the country to celebrate Warwick’s 60-year legacy with African scholarship.

Prof. Amos Njuguna, in his opening remarks noted that innovation cannot thrive in ignorance of legal frameworks setting the tone for the clinic’s intellectual voyage. Ms. Helen Ambasa, the Director of Legal Services, took the stage next and welcomed the audience. Quoting Carl Sagan, she remarked that “we are the sum total of the impact we have on others,” affirming the Division’s commitment to using expertise to educate and uplift the community.

Ms. Patricia Kiwanuka, a member of the University Council in her address encouraged proactive legal consultation, emphasizing how legal awareness fosters justice and empowerment while highlighting the symbiotic relationship between law, business, and society.

Hon. Justice Isaac Lenaola’s keynote address, was delivered by Mr. James Okeyo. Justice Lenaola’s words, though spoken by another, lost none of their gravitas. He commended the clinic for its role in dispelling ignorance and arming individuals with the legal acumen necessary to defend their rights laying a formidable foundation for the panel discussion to follow.

The thematic pillars of the panel discussion were as intriguing as they were pressing. The panel consisted of Anne Mutie, Antony Ng’ang’a and Francis Monyango from the Data Privacy and Governance Society. They were joined by James Okeyo, Lydia Mogutu, Cynthia Syprose and Peter Kimochu from Muthoga Gaturu and Company Advocates and Eunice Lumallas from LAK Advocates.

The discussion on digital rights and data protection centred on who owns, controls, and protects personal data. Individual responsibility and corporate accountability through data‑mapping, necessity assessments, and robust policies was emphasised. The panel then unpacked the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) security - convenience trade‑off, championing for privacy by design. It was noted that confidentiality clauses in employment contracts help to prevent leaks. The participants were then warned against unchecked mobile‑app permissions by exposing predatory lending practices and data harassment. Finally, the panel decried children’s data exploitation, stressing the requirement of mandatory parental consent and communal responsibility to curb reckless oversharing or weaponization of children.

The discussion then pivoted to AI where it was noted that AI often overlooks African contexts, risking algorithmic bias. The panel then compared the EU’s precautionary regulations with the US’s innovation‑driven approach before confronting the menace of deep fakes illustrated by Ms. Lullamas’s ordeal of identity theft. Finally, they highlighted AI’s tendency to ‘hallucinate’, fabricating non-existent cases and legal precedents, underscoring that despite its power, AI is an unreliable narrator that demands cautious application.

Turning to the topic of harassment the panel tackled issues of cross‑examination of complainants in harassment cases as well as that of victim anonymity, considering how public records could lead to the stigmatization of survivors and advocating their right to be forgotten. The discussion underscored the tension between protecting victims, preserving data privacy, and ensuring a fair trial. Expanding the scope, they critiqued workplace gender parity and ageism—questioning the two-third rule’s impact and concluded with optimism that awareness, education, and Legal Aid Clinic initiatives will foster inclusivity.

The grand finale was the one-on-one legal consultations. In the private pods, students, staff and faculty sought guidance from the advocates present. Their questions met with seasoned wisdom. The clinic was an astounding success, a beacon of knowledge, and an inspiration for future professionals. One cannot help but wonder, what symphony of justice the next Legal Clinic will compose.