AJS Conference 21st November

What to Expect from the AJS Conference at ADR Week 2025

As the pursuit of accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive justice systems continues to shape Kenya’s legal landscape, this year’s Alternative Justice System (AJS) Conference at ADR Week 2025 promises to be a turning point. It brings together practitioners, community leaders, policymakers, academics, and justice sector stakeholders to reflect, learn, and co-create solutions that place people do not process at the heart of justice.

From revitalizing indigenous dispute resolution mechanisms to integrating AJS into national development goals, this conference will explore how community-centered justice can transform lives, restore peace, and promote sustainable development.

Here’s what to look forward to:

1. Building Capacity: Standardizing and Strengthening AJS Practitioners

AJS is only as strong as the people who carry it forward. This session explores:

  • The need for clear guidelines, ethical standards, and certification pathways for AJS practitioners
  • Capacity-building initiatives across counties and communities
  • Bridging the gap between informal and formal justice systems

Expect practical recommendations and training models aimed at professionalizing AJS while preserving its community roots.

2. Justice for All: Empowering Women and Vulnerable Groups Through AJS

Too often, marginalized groups are left out of justice systems. This conversation will focus on how AJS can be a tool for empowerment and inclusion:

  • Gender-responsive practices in community dispute resolution
  • Protecting the rights of children, persons with disabilities, and minority groups
  • Challenging harmful traditional norms while preserving positive customs

This session will highlight real stories and successful models from across Kenya.

3. From Conflict to Consensus: Revitalizing AJS for Post-Conflict Peacebuilding

In regions recovering from intercommunal violence or political unrest, AJS mechanisms can restore trust and rebuild relationships. This panel will examine:

  • The role of elders, religious leaders, and cultural institutions in peacebuilding
  • Integrating AJS in transitional justice and reconciliation efforts
  • Supporting AJS through policy, funding, and partnerships with civil society

Learn how AJS can contribute to durable peace in both rural and urban communities.

4. Mediating Markets: Using AJS to Resolve SME and Cooperative Conflicts

Disputes within small businesses, cooperatives, and informal markets often go unresolved or escalate unnecessarily. This session explores:

  • How AJS can support fair and efficient conflict resolution in the economic sector
  • The role of local chambers, Saccos, and cooperatives in adopting AJS
  • Case studies on business-focused community mediation

This is a must-attend for entrepreneurs, cooperative leaders, and economic development actors.

5. Bridging Boundaries: Community Mediation for Land and Resource Conflicts

Land remains one of the most contentious issues in Kenya. This discussion dives into:

  • How traditional justice actors can mediate land disputes more effectively
  • Promoting community ownership, transparency, and sustainability
  • Collaborative models between AJS structures, land tribunals, and government agencies

This session will provide practical strategies for addressing land-related tensions while preserving harmony.

Why Attend the AJS Conference?

– Engage with national and county AJS leaders
– Learn from grassroots success stories
– Share insights on policy, practice, and innovation
– Contribute to the ongoing development of Kenya’s AJS Policy Framework
– Connect with fellow practitioners and advocates committed to people-centered justice

More Insights
Uncategorized

ROUNDTABLE REPORT: Alternative Dispute Resolution for Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya

1. Background and Context  Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of Kenya’s economy,  contributing approximately 33% of GDP and employing over 80% of the workforce outside  the agricultural sector. Despite this significance, SMEs remain disproportionately exposed  to commercial disputes that are costly, protracted, and frequently unresolved through  formal judicial channels.  The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch convened a multi-stakeholder  roundtable to interrogate the landscape of dispute resolution for SMEs, assess the efficacy  of existing mechanisms, and identify entry points for scalable Alternative Dispute  Resolution (ADR) interventions. The roundtable convened representatives from the Micro  and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), the Judiciary, the Kenya National Chamber of  Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the financial sector, the insurance industry, and the  youth entrepreneurship ecosystem.  This report summarises the deliberations and perspectives presented by each  stakeholder group, and distills shared conclusions, identified gaps, and proposed areas of  partnership.  2. Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) â€” Perspective  Presenters: Maureen Gachogo- Registrar.                       :Agnes Thiong’o- Senior legal officer.  2.1 Nature and Typology of Disputes in the SME Sector  MSEA’s frontline engagement with the SME ecosystem reveals that disputes within this  sector are diverse in character and frequently multi-layered. The Authority identified three  principal categories of disputes commonly encountered:  •Governance disputes: These arise within SME structures, particularly cooperatives,  chamas, and registered business associations, where disagreements over  leadership, profit-sharing, decision-making authority, and member obligations  create internal fractures. Such disputes, if unresolved, often result in enterprise  dissolution or significant productive loss.  •Resource disputes â€“ Land use: A recurring category of disputes involves access to  and use of land for business operations. These disputes frequently involve 

Read More