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More than 18,000 advocates will this week offer free legal services to members of the public to improve access to justice.

During the launch of the Legal Awareness Week in Nairobi yesterday, Law Society of Kenya Chief Executive Mercy Wambua, said many Kenyans were, for various reasons, unable to access the services of advocates.

“This week we dedicate all these lawyers to the members of the public at no cost,” said Wambua.

The exercise, whose theme is Sovereignty of the People and Access to Justice, will be conducted countrywide.

Wambua said the Judiciary had adopted many programmes and initiatives towards enhancing access to justice and during Covid-19 pandemic.

Among those present were Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Member Macharia Njeru, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, Representatives from the Attorney General’s office and the several advocates.

Karua, who was the chief guest at the event, urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to uphold the Constitution.

“Article 10 of the Constitution talks of National values, rule of law and principle of governance.

I want to call the President to uphold the Constitution and defend the constitution by swearing the six judges duly nominated by JSC and with multiple court orders ordering him to swear in the judges,” she said.

Karua noted that because the President holds the highest office in the land, he must be an example in the upholding the rule of law.