Department Of Public Law

The Department of Public Law is one of the two Departments of the School of Law. It entirely aligns itself with the Vision, Mission and Philosophy of the School.

Vision: A premier law school educating legal entrepreneurs of conscience, competence, and compassion with the ability to meet the challenges of leadership and the administration of justice in Africa and beyond.

Mission: To provide legal education and scholarship of the highest standards through developing cutting edge professional competencies, promoting entrepreneurship, and increasing sensitivity to community needs in order to ensure global competences.

Philosophy: The School philosophy draws from the elements and logic of the University Philosophy and consists of the following three basic elements:

1. Teaching: We believe that legal education should employ robust theoretical inquiry, doctrinal and policy analysis and professional skills. Because the law is dynamic, students need to be equipped to deal with change and to exercise sound judgment and creativity in offering solutions for problems of individuals, institutions, and nations. As such, and also as part of a sterling research University, our programme progressively will integrate opportunities for interdisciplinary study.
2. Scholarship: We believe that all faculty should be committed to the broader mission of education that is accomplished through exploration, discussion and dissemination of ideas. This will entail among other things seeking a better understanding of existing law, to develop and test new ideas and approaches, to challenge status quo, and to convey our research and ideas to lawyers, academics, policy makers, and the wider world. The philosophies and approaches of faculty can and should vary widely in pursuing this mission, but all are expected to produce notable work.
3. Public Service: For the privilege of being part of an honored profession, we believe that our faculty and students all have obligations to the Department, School, University, the profession and local and global communities. Moreover, a commitment to service is an ingredient of a full and satisfying life. Accordingly, members of the Department will contribute their time and talents in pursuit of the Department’s mission in ways that match their individual interests and abilities. As part of a public institution committed to public service, the Department strives to instill in students an awareness of a lawyer’s civic responsibilities, and the need to create opportunities to serve and lead.

In line with the Department’s reputation, and in tune with the Council of Legal Education requirements, and more importantly, to focus on contemporary social requirements and realities, the Department over the years, has adopted a number of thrust areas in its LL.B. Programme. The Programme is conceived in global terms, permitting students to have some familiarity with judicial processes and constitutional experiences beyond Kenya’s frontiers, but under the international umbrella, they are free to pursue their particular interests in Kenyan and East African comparative judicial behaviour, legal philosophy or any other area of concern that is part of the traditional Public Law curriculum.

The faculties at the Department upgrade the Course Outlines periodically to meet the new challenges and exigencies in the concerned areas of Law.

Being experts in an institution of international reputation, members of the Department are actively engaged in a wide ranging array of programs within the university and outside Campus i.e., programs involving the public, governmental institutions and agencies, companies, etc. The members also offer services that include consultancy and legal opinion, law curricula development, public law seminars and legal advice. Besides, the academic staffs supervise Masters and Ph.D., students in addition to furthering their research areas of interest and expertise.

Currently, there are ten staff members within the Department. The Head of Department is the person in charge of the Department and is assisted by the rest of the staff members.

The office for administration of the Department is housed at the Kenyatta University, School of Law new building, fifth floor. The office of the Head of the Department is located within the Department. The offices of the lecturers are also at the same level.

All staff members can be contacted directly through their office telephones, e-mail or through the School of Law Administration.