Ciarb and Kenya Branch Leadership Pay Courtesy Call on the Chief Justice
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch, together with senior leadership from Ciarb London, yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Patron of the Kenya Branch, Hon. Lady Chief Justice Martha K. Koome, EGH, FCIArb. The delegation from Ciarb London comprised Ms. Helen Waters, Director of Corporate Services, and Mr. Jonathan Moles, Director of […]
Ciarb Kenya’s Module 2 – Law of Obligations Starts this Coming July
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch is pleased to invite ADR practitioners and aspiring dispute resolution professionals to enroll for Module 2 – Law of Obligations, a key stage in the Domestic Arbitration Pathway towards Fellowship (FCIArb). Running over four months and delivered entirely online, the programme provides participants with a comprehensive understanding […]
THE 4TH AJS CONFERENCE 2026
Ciarb Kenya Chairman Calls for Stronger Collaboration Between AJS and ADR at the 4th Alternative Justice Systems Conference Embu, Kenya – The Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Kenya Branch, Prof. Kenneth Wyne, MBS, C.Arb, delivered a keynote address at the recently concluded 4th Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) Conference held in Embu, where he […]
Challenge Accomplished: Ciarb Kenya Conquers the Ngong Hills
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch successfully held the Ngong Hills Challenge 2026 on Saturday, 13 June 2026, bringing together members, ADR practitioners, and friends of the Branch for a day of adventure, wellness, networking, and community building. The challenge saw participants gather early at the Ciarb Kenya offices before heading to the […]
Ciarb Kenya and AJS Strengthen Partnership Through Webinar on People-Centred Justice
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch continues to deepen its collaboration with key justice sector stakeholders as it prepares to participate as a Strategic Partner in the upcoming 4th Annual Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) Conference 2026. As part of this growing partnership, Ciarb Kenya, in collaboration with the Judiciary’s Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) […]
Ciarb Kenya to Host Official Ciarb Global Delegation in Nairobi
Ciarb Kenya Branch is pleased to announce that it will host an official delegation from Ciarb Global, London, from the 21st to the 24th June 2026, marking another important milestone in the Branch’s continued pursuit of excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The visit follows the successful visit to Nairobi by the Ciarb Global President, […]
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) — 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 – Land use: A recurring category of disputes involves access to and use of land for business operations. These disputes frequently involve competing claims among traders, landlords, county governments, and community groups, particularly in the context of informal markets and open-air trading zones. The intersection of customary land tenure and formal title documentation renders these disputes complex and resistant to standard adjudicative processes. •Association and umbrella organisation disputes: SMEs affiliated with trade associations or apex bodies frequently experience disputes arising from membership obligations, levy allocation, and representational authority. These disputes tend to have sector-wide implications where the umbrella body exercises regulatory or quasi-regulatory functions. 2.2 Existing Dispute Handling Mechanisms MSEA noted that original jurisdiction over SME disputes is constitutionally and statutorily vested in the MSE Tribunal, established under the Micro and Small Enterprises Act, 2012. The Tribunal’s dispute resolution framework operates as follows: •The Registrar of MSEs issues formal invitations to the disputing parties, initiating the process without requiring legal representation. •Upon receipt of the matter, the Tribunal establishes rules of engagement tailored to the nature and complexity of the dispute. •The Tribunal assists parties in arriving at resolutions that account for both short- term needs (such as immediate injunctive relief or interim agreements) and long- term commercial sustainability. A notable feature of the Tribunal’s process is the statutory 30-day timeframe for resolution, which aligns with the commercial realities and cash flow sensitivities of SME operators. This expedited mechanism represents a significant advantage over conventional court processes, which can extend over years. Notwithstanding the Tribunal’s mandate, MSEA acknowledged systemic limitations […]
Ciarb Kenya Branch Welcomes Its New Board of Directors
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch is pleased to announce its newly constituted Board of Directors, bringing together a distinguished team of professionals committed to advancing arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Kenya, the region, and beyond. The Board will be led by Prof. Wyne Kenneth, MBS, C.Arb, who continues to serve […]
Ciarb Kenya Honours Retiring Board Members at Special Cocktail Reception
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch held a special cocktail reception on Thursday evening to celebrate and honour several distinguished Board Members who are retiring after years of dedicated service to the Institute and the advancement of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Kenya and beyond. The event was hosted by the Chairman, Prof. […]
Ciarb Kenya Proudly Supports the 10th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch is proud to support the 10th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration, set to take place in Lagos, Nigeria from 3rd – 5th June 2026. This landmark conference, organized by the ICC Dispute Resolution Services in collaboration with ICC Nigeria, brings together leading arbitration practitioners, legal experts, […]