Need for a level playing field for justice entrepreneurs in Kenya

Morgan Gikonyo is from lush green tea estates in the western highlands of Kenya. While training to become a lawyer at the University of Nairobi, he founded both Wakili Mkononi and Ask Wakili1. Wakili Mkononi was a platform that hosted educational videos on the everyday legal problems of people and Ask Wakili connected people to verified lawyers who provide legal assistance at an affordable fee.

The majority of Kenyans actively seek legal information and advice to resolve disputes, as indicated by a nationwide legal needs survey in Kenya. Those who did not seek advice said they didn’t know who to ask for help or could not afford legal advice (source: Justice needs and satisfaction in Kenya: Legal problems in daily life). Such an unmet demand for legal information can be filled by platforms like Wakili Mkononi and Ask Wakili.

Yet, as Morgan would discover, the road to democratising legal information in Kenya is fraught with challenges. Opposition from lawyers and the bar association and difficulties in monetising the platform are two primary ones. People-centred justice supports entrepreneurs like Morgan who want to make justice accessible and affordable for everyday people. They are tapping into latent demand for legal services which contains opportunities for existing legal professionals and new ones. Morgan’s journey highlights the need for support from the formal justice system so that visionary and talented justice entrepreneurs can thrive.