UNODC Eastern Africa News and Stories

You are here: Home / News

Launch of the Second Phase of the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery in Kenya (PLEAD II) to Enhance Justice Reforms 

Nairobi, 10 May 2023 – Justice actors, the European Union, UN Agencies, and civil society organisations launched the second five-year phase of the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery in Kenya (PLEAD II). 

The programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and UN Development Programme. 

The ceremony was held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi and was graced by top leadership from key national justice sector partners, local and international representatives from civil society organizations, development partners, members of academia, private sector actors and the youth.

The EUR 35.3 million PLEAD programme will build on the gains made in improving the administration of justice during the first phase and support the Government of Kenya’s renewed justice sector reform agenda. 

PLEAD is a partnership between the justice institutions and civil society organisations in Kenya, the European Union and the United Nations to enhance justice reforms to improve the delivery of justice services, settlement of disputes and the use of alternatives to imprisonment. PLEAD I was implemented from late 2017 to early 2023 and a second phase continues until the end of 2027. 

PLEAD I supported national justice institutions and duty bearers, including the National Council on the Administration of Justice, the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Probation and Aftercare Service, the Witness Protection Agency and the National Police Service. 

In this second phase, activities are expanded to include the Kenya Prisons Service, the Directorate of Children’s Services and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for an even more comprehensive approach. PLEAD II will cover 19 counties, a considerable increase from the 12 counties supported under PLEAD I.

Thematically much more emphasis will be placed upon expanding digitalisation and the fight against corruption in the justice sector while delivering justice to the most vulnerable. Additionally, the proposed interventions are tailored to cushion and meet the needs of the most marginalized in society, in line with the pledge to ‘leave no one behind’, which is central to the Sustainable Development Goals.

“We acknowledge the expansion of the programme to 9 additional Counties. This makes for a more inclusive programme. As we see, all the core elements of the justice chain have been represented and supported through this process for a broader reach and impact", said Hon. Justice Martha Koome, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya.

PLEAD II will address capacity needs and persistent bottlenecks affecting service delivery in the justice sector. The emerging area of “green justice” will involve reducing the environmental impact of operations and ensure more consistent electricity supply for justice institutions.

“It is an honor and privilege for the European Union to continue this important partnership as we transit to the second phase with a long list of activities and high expectations of delivering better and faster justice to all,” said the European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger.

The overall objective of PLEAD II is to reinforce the rule of law, improve access to justice, increase efficiency and accountability in the justice system, and use of technology as an enabler of justice. The four main desired outcomes of the Programme are click here: PLEAD II At a Glance

"PLEAD II is an ambitious endeavour, but so is the republic of Kenya. The European Union and Kenya have had a great relationship and will work together to empower Kenya’s most vulnerable. I congratulate the Honourable Chief Justice for spearheading justice sector reforms,” stated Mr. Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator, on behalf of the UN Agencies - UNODC and UNDP.

Four 4X4 ODPP vehicles and 1 NCAJ Bus were flagged off during the event. The vehicles were purchased with the support of UNODC and are supporting the institutions by improving the mobility of respective staff as they perform their duties in the criminal justice sector. The vehicles will serve marginalized counties with vast territories and far-flung court stations under PLEAD. Computers were also handed over to justice actors during the launch.

The launch was followed by a PLEAD II inception phase stakeholder consultation that entailed panel discussions on, promoting the fight against corruption in the justice sector through digitalization and making alternative justice mechanisms more accountable in line with the Bill of Rights.

Six thematic group discussions on children in conflict/contact with the law, justice for women and sexual gender-based violence victims, stepping up the fight against corruption, what next on petty crimes, decongesting prisons and move to instant traffic fines were held which brought the event to a close.

 

 

 

For more information contact: 

Head of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, in UNODC Eastern Africa, charity.kagwi@un.org

 

For more information on the launch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4FjHQjwkAk