Legal professionals in Kenya will soon have the opportunity to attain advanced academic credentials locally after Mount Kenya University’s (MKU) School of Law introduced doctoral studies.
Currently, only two universities—one public and one private—offer legal training at the doctoral level. MKU will now become the second private university in Kenya to offer this prestigious programme.
According to the School’s Dean, Dr Hezekiel Oira, the introduction of doctoral studies is part of the university’s commitment to expanding access to legal education, from diploma level through to bachelor’s, master’s, and now doctoral qualifications.
Dr Oira highlighted the success of MKU’s Master of Laws (LLM) programme, which is delivered through a blended learning model. He noted that this format has been well received, particularly by working professionals, as it allows for both interactivity and self-paced study.
“It is an à la carte programme designed to meet diverse scholastic needs, learning styles, and requirements. Learners can access it at their convenience, similar to systems used by universities in the UK and South Africa,” Dr Oira explained.
Students receive structured curriculum content for each lesson, which they can access at any time. To ensure comprehension, they must complete weekly assessments.
The Council of Legal Education accredited MKU’s School of Law to offer the LLM programme in 2022. The first intake took place in May 2023, and currently, three cohorts are in session. Since its establishment in September 2009, the school has admitted over 2,500 degree students and more than 1,600 diploma students.
Cross-Border Collaboration in Legal Education
In a further boost to its legal education initiatives, MKU’s School of Law is set to host students and faculty members from Mount Kigali University in March as part of an academic exchange programme.
Dr Hezekiel Okoth, Dean of the MKU School of Law, emphasised that this collaboration is part of a broader effort to enhance legal education beyond national borders. The initiative is being facilitated in partnership with the Centre for International and Development Law (CINDLAW).
“This is a testament to our shared vision of strengthening legal education through cross-border collaboration and experiential learning,” Dr Okoth stated.
