Mount Kigali University Exchange Program

From Monday, 3 March to Sunday, 9 March 2025, law students from Mount Kenya University (MKU) and Mount Kigali University (MKU-R) will participate in an intensive academic and cultural exchange program in Kenya. This initiative aims to enhance their understanding of alternative dispute resolution, judicial processes, legislative frameworks, and legal practice while also providing opportunities for networking and personal development.

The program kicks off on Monday, 3 March 2025, with a special Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Lecture themed “Emerging Regional and National Issues on Alternative Dispute Resolution.” A key highlight will be an exchange lecture at the MKU-K School of Law in Nairobi, where Prof. Fructuose Bigirimana, Dean of the MKU-R School of Law, will deliver an insightful lecture on the Gacaca courts, Rwanda’s unique approach to community-based justice and reconciliation. This session will offer students comparative perspectives on legal systems and transitional justice. In addition, Ms. Jacqueline Waihenya, C.Arb, FCIArb, Chairman of CIArb Kenya, will explore “The Evolution of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Africa: Lessons from Traditional Justice and Emerging Trends.” Students will also engage with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) in a session designed to equip them with practical arbitration and mediation skills—critical tools in today’s evolving legal landscape. Later in the day, students will participate in a moot court competition, simulating real court proceedings to sharpen their advocacy skills before experienced legal practitioners.

On Tuesday, 4 March 2025, the focus shifts to Kenya’s legal and legislative framework, with visits to the Supreme Court of Kenya and the National Assembly. The 40 participating students—20 from Mount Kenya University School of Law and 20 from Mount Kigali University School of Law will gain firsthand insights into the structure of Kenya’s judiciary, including its tribunals, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the Supreme Court and its administrative wing. A key area of discussion will be the Judiciary Fund and its impact on judicial operations. The visit will also include a guided tour of the Judiciary Museum, which showcases Kenya’s rich judicial history through preserved legal artifacts and documents.

At the Parliament of Kenya, students will engage in discussions on the origin, development, and impact of laws, the process of drafting and passing legislation, and the roles of the National Assembly and Senate. Additionally, there will be a special focus on devolution and the impact of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). The day concludes with a relaxing afternoon at Karura Forest, where students will participate in team-building activities, hiking, and guided tours as part of the Presidential Awards Club program.

The exchange continues on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, with an academic tour of the Nairobi Industrial Area Remand and Prison. This visit will provide an in-depth look at Kenya’s correctional system, focusing on the Prisons Act (Cap 90), the Borstal Institutions Act (Cap 92), and Community Service Orders (CSO) under the Department of Probation and Aftercare Services. Key discussions will center on theories of punishment, sentence mitigation, prison reforms, and governance within the Justice, Law, and Order Sector (GJLOS) reform program. Later, students will visit the Rwandan Embassy in Kenya, where they will engage in discussions on international legal systems, global trends, and best practices in diplomacy and legal affairs. The day concludes with a visit to Mount Kenya University’s Main Campus in Thika, where students will meet the Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Director of Equip Africa, further strengthening cross-institutional ties.

On Thursday, 6th March 2025, students will embark on an adventure to Nairobi National Park, the only national park in the world located within a city. Here, they will have the opportunity to observe Kenya’s wildlife, including the Big Five. Later that day, MKU-R students will take their first-ever trip to Mombasa via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). While in Mombasa, they will participate in the MKUSA Council Induction Workshop, explore the city, and enjoy a beach excursion. A key highlight of this segment will be a mental health and leadership talk by Dr. Jane Nyutu, Co-founder of MKU. This phase of the trip will take place between Friday, 7th March, and Saturday, 8th March 2025.

The final leg of the exchange program takes place on Sunday, 9 March 2025, in Nakuru, where MKU Nakuru Campus will host a barbecue dinner. The event will feature a keynote address by Adv. Lawrence Karanja, former Chairman of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Nakuru Branch, who will share insights into the role and activities of the LSK Nakuru Branch, his personal experiences as an advocate, and practical advice for law students.