Advancing Justice Through Dialogue: JKUAT and Strathmore Lead Mediation Training.
The JKUAT School of Law, Karen Campus, in collaboration with the Strathmore Dispute Resolution Centre (SDRC), successfully hosted a 40-hour mediation training from 4th to 10th September 2025. The program, which brought together 14 undergraduate students and one staff member, was delivered by SDRC as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, with JKUAT Karen Campus serving as the host institution.
The training focused on equipping participants with basic legal and ethical knowledge in mediation, emphasizing its significance as an essential tool in both legislation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
(ADR).
Through interactive sessions, participants were introduced to the principles of mediation, practical skills in managing disputes, and strategies for upholding fairness, confidentiality, and neutrality. The program further emphasized the importance of mediation in promoting access to justice, reducing court case backlogs, and fostering a culture of dialogue and peaceful settlement.
Dr. Melissa Muindi, Director of the Strathmore Dispute Resolution Centre (SDRC), noted that by choosing to participate in the training, they had demonstrated a willingness to embrace mediation as a meaningful approach to conflict resolution. She underscored that the future of conflict resolution depends on young professionals who are open to new techniques and who are bold enough to champion mediation in a legal environment often dominated by litigation.
Dr. Stephen Aminga, the Dean of the School of Law, Karen Campus, highlighted the broader career opportunities available in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), noting that mediation provides a unique chance for law students to position themselves as versatile professionals in a dynamic legal landscape.
“By participating in this program, you have not only gained valuable knowledge but also taken the first step toward becoming ambassadors of peace and dialogue in society. Courts resolve disputes, but mediation does more than that; it restores relationships and builds trust,” said Prof.Aminga.
Prof. Hellen Mberia, the acting Principal of Karen Campus, noted that the partnership has created an important platform for students to acquire practical skills that complement their legal studies and prepare them for the realities of professional practice.
“Disagreements are inevitable, whether within families, workplaces, or communities. What truly matters is how we choose to address them. Mediation provides a pathway that is not only less adversarial but also more humane, allowing parties to preserve their relationships even as they resolve their disputes, said Prof.Mberia.
Isaac Mutugi, a fourth-year Law student who previously served as a role player at SDRC and is now a trainee in the 40-hour mediation training, shared that the experience has inspired him to broaden his professional portfolio. He observed that the field offers a unique sense of freedom.
The 40-hour mediation training strengthened students’ alternative dispute resolution (ADR) skills and prepared future legal practitioners for real-world practice. The initiative was spearheaded by JKUAT Karen Campus Management and the School of Law, led by Project Lead and Assistant Lecturer Ms. Muthoni Mwangi, Dr.Francis Kariuki, Senior Lecturer Strathmore Law School(SLS) and was generously sponsored by Mohammed Muigai LLP and Prof. Kariuki Muigua of Kariuki Muigua & Co. Advocates. The program affirmed a shared commitment to justice, reconciliation, and relationship-building
