El Santa

Law, FinTech

[El Santa @Santucci266]

@Ingutiah Access to timely justice for all remains an essential target for the judiciary service commission.
#LockInTheGains

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

Legal Aid: Together, We Laid the Foundation. The Journey Continues

In 2008, LSK and civil society organisations offering legal aid joined other institutions, under the leadership of the Office of the Attorney General, to help develop a national legal aid framework for Kenya. The National Legal Aid and Awareness Programme pilot project tested what was possible. I am glad to have been part of that work as a FIDA Kenya representative.

The 2010 Constitution strengthened the foundation for legal aid, and the Legal Aid Act, 2016 established the National Legal Aid Service (NLAS) to give effect to those constitutional provisions.

Over the years, JSC has continued to advocate for increased funding for the Judiciary’s pro bono programme. Its allocation grew from KSh 63.6 million in FY 2023/24 to KSh 150 million in FY 2025/26.

However, court decisions and persistent concerns raised by the National Assembly regarding NLAS’s statutory mandate to provide legal aid informed the transition of these services to NLAS.

On Wednesday 7th October 2026, I participated in the joint Judiciary–LSK transition committee meeting, where the transition report was shared and members’ concerns discussed.

Having been part of the earlier efforts to build a national legal aid framework, this moment carries special meaning for me.

As these services move to NLAS, our commitment remains clear: outstanding bills must be paid, advocates’ concerns addressed, and those who rely on legal aid supported throughout the transition.

I also urged colleagues to participate in the budget-making processes of JSC, the Judiciary, NLAS and other justice-sector agencies. These are opportunities to shape funding priorities and ensure that the needs of advocates and the people we serve are heard.

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

Today is World Mental Health Day, a reminder that mental health matters to all of us.

The legal profession can be demanding. Heavy workloads, tight deadlines and everyday pressures can leave us stressed, overwhelmed or burnt out. Findings from the @ABAesq surveys have highlighted the mental health challenges facing lawyers, reminding us that these struggles are real and cannot be ignored.

Over time, I have learnt to cope through debriefing, family time, social media breaks and dancing! 💃🏽

How do you recharge?

Let's support one another. Seeking help is strength.

For support, contact the @LSK_ABA on [phone]

#WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

Happy Mazingira Day! 🌿

We all share a responsibility to keep our environment clean, safe and sustainable.

Let us make caring for our environment an everyday commitment.

The choices we make today shape the world we leave for future generations.

Our environment. Our collective responsibility.

[El Santa @Santucci266]

@Ingutiah The future is digital,this is a thoughtful initiative Madam Commissioner

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

Wakili Tuongee | The Role of the JSC in Judiciary Automation

As technology transforms how justice is delivered, what role does the Judicial Service Commission play?

Join me as I explore JSC’s role in advancing a more efficient, accessible and accountable Judiciary through automation.

Watch, learn and share your thoughts:

What improvements would you like to see in digital court services?

[El Santa @Santucci266]

@Ingutiah Thank you Madam Commissioner for this great initiative.
#LockInTheGains

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

🌸 HAPPY NEW MONTH!

Welcome to October! A month to celebrate our heroes and heroines and mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 💗

🎥 Introducing WAKILI TUONGEE, a weekly series where we simplify and discuss issues affecting the legal profession.

📅 Every Thursday. Let's learn, share and engage!

Wishing you a blessed October!

[El Santa @Santucci266]

@Ingutiah A welcome move!!
Regulations are a good start as we embrace new technology.

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

DID YOU KNOW?

Kenya Judiciary has developed Draft Practice Directions on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts. 🇰🇪⚖️

After approval and gazettement by the Chief Justice, the Practice Directions will guide advocates, litigants, judges, judicial officers and other court users on the responsible use of AI in Kenyan courts.

Key highlights:

* Disclosure: Declare the use of AI in documents filed in court.
* Verification: Independently verify all AI-generated legal authorities, citations and factual statements.
* AI may assist in drafting but cannot replace human judgment.
* AI-generated evidence must be disclosed and authenticated.
* Judges and judicial officers cannot delegate judicial decision-making to AI.
* Safeguard client confidentiality, privileged information and personal data.
* Non-compliance may attract costs, disciplinary action or other court sanctions.

The bottom line: AI can assist, but responsibility remains human.

Are we ready for these proposed Practice Directions?

[El Santa @Santucci266]

@Ingutiah Like any tool involving the cyberspace, artificial intelligence is best for legal practitioners when limitations to it's use ans reliance are put in place.
#LockInTheGains

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

AI IN COURT: IRELAND SETS THE RULES

Ireland’s Circuit Court has issued a new Practice Direction on the use of Generative AI in court proceedings, effective 21 September 2026.

Some key takeaways from the directions:

1. Affidavits & witness statements: AI should not generate or rewrite substantive evidence. A declaration confirming this must be included.
2. Submissions- AI may be used, but its use must be disclosed. A lawyer must verify that the content is accurate and that every cited case and source actually exists.
3. Expert reports: They must reflect the expert’s own opinion and reasoning. Any substantive AI use must be disclosed.
4. Confidential information: AI should not be used where doing so risks breaching court-ordered confidentiality, undertakings or the in camera rule.
5. Deepfakes: Fabricated or AI-manipulated evidence must never be presented to court.

⚠️ The consequences for breach are serious and include; adverse costs, rejection of documents, striking out of a claim or defence, personal costs against a lawyer, and possible referral to the professional regulator.

The message is increasingly clear: *AI may assist the lawyer, but it does not assume the lawyer’s professional responsibility.*

With Kenyan lawyers increasingly using AI for specific aspects of legal practice, should the Hon. Chief Justice consider issuing similar Practice Directions tailored to Kenya’s legal and judicial context?

#AIandLaw #ProfessionalResponsibility #FutureOfLaQ

[El Santa @Santucci266]

@Ingutiah It goes without saying that access to justice has improved under your tenure at JSC indeed.
#LockInTheGains

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

Congratulations to the 13 LSK members appointed to various tribunals (4 as Chairpersons and 9 as Members). It is always a joy to see our colleagues take up opportunities to serve in these important spaces.

Over the weekend, I shared my thoughts on why Kenya needs to conclude the ongoing tribunal reforms and strengthen tribunals as an avenue for specialised, accessible and expeditious justice.

These latest appointments bring to 89 the number of LSK members from private practice, in-house counsel and academia appointed to serve in various tribunals over the past four years.

For me, this is encouraging on two fronts, more opportunities for our members and, at the same time, a stronger tribunal system that improves access to justice.

To all the appointees, congratulations once again. I wish you well as you take up your new roles. Serve with integrity, independence and distinction.
https://t.co/1WJ3sy5VrH

[El Santa @Santucci266]

@Ingutiah Self-assessment is key.
#LockInTheGains

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

I just finished reading "The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery" by Brianna Wiest.

Its message is simple at times the biggest obstacle in our way is ourselves.

Fear, procrastination, self-doubt, old habits or comfort of the familiar.

As lawyers, we are trained to interrogate and challenge assumptions. Perhaps, every so often, we should turn those skills inward and ask:

What am I doing? or refusing to do that may be standing between me and the person I want to become?

Not every mountain needs to be conquered today. But first, we must recognise which mountain is ours.

Have a reflective weekend, colleagues.

[El Santa @Santucci266]

@Ingutiah They say educating a girl empowers the community,you are a true testament to that Madam Commissioner.
#LockInTheGains

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

Happy Daughters’ Day! ❤️

Today, I celebrate my dad. At a time when educating boys was often given priority, he chose to invest equally in all his 11 daughters. Looking back, I realise just how much that decision shaped the person I am today. Thank you dad.

It also reminds me that leadership begins long before we are given titles. It starts at home, when a girl is educated, protected, listened to, encouraged to speak her mind and reminded that her dreams matter.

I am equally grateful for the father of my two daughters, a kind man who believes in them, supports them and gives them room to dream and become. Thank you Jakamswa.

May we continue opening doors for our daughters. May they walk further than we did, lead boldly, and remember to hold those doors open for others.

Happy Daughters’ Day to my two Ks, and to every daughter finding her way and her voice.

[El Santa @Santucci266]

@Ingutiah This is welcome move, perhaps we need to consider how our courts can adopt and include sign language experts in court proceedings.
#LockInTheGains

[JacquelineIngutiah @Ingutiah]

As the world marked the UN International Day of Sign Languages yesterday, we are reminded that equal rights begin with equal access.

While the Kenyan Constitution promotes Kenyan Sign Language (KSL), we applaud Parliament for passing the Kenyan Sign Language Bill into law in June 2026, a massive stride toward ensuring that deaf and hard-of-hearing persons can fully integrate into society, access public services, and enjoy fair treatment.

Crucially, this law establishes an official regulatory body tasked with protecting the communication rights of deaf and deafblind citizens, while registering, licensing, and enforcing a professional code of conduct for sign language interpreters.

Now, it's time to bring that promise to life through full implementation and break down communication barriers so every Kenyan can fully exercise their constitutional rights.