News & Analysis

The Need for Legal and Regulatory Framework for Telemedicine in in Kenya

Published

3 years ago

November 24, 2021

Admin

By Dr. Kariuki Muigua, PhD (Leading Environmental Law Scholar, Policy Advisor, Natural Resources Lawyer and Dispute Resolution Expert from Kenya)*

Telemedicine has been called the big idea for creating access to healthcare in Kenya. This owes to the fact that almost 70% of the population in Kenya live in rural areas and there are hardly any clinics within walking distance for rural fork. And even where such clinics are available, they are usually staffed with nurses or community health workers who offer very basic services as the doctor to patient level remains low. The question of how to increase access to doctors and maximize the use of time for medical personal is not only a big deal for management of modern hospitals in the city but it is also becoming a matter of urgency for health services providers in remote areas. In fact, the rise of telemedicine will likely lower the need for medical tourism beyond the borders.

As matters stand, telemedicine has been taking root in Kenya, especially with the outbreak of the COVI-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization observes that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have great potential to address some of the challenges faced by both developed and developing countries in providing accessible, cost-effective, high-quality health care services through the use of telemedicine. Telemedicine uses ICTs to overcome geographical barriers, and increase access to health care services. This is particularly beneficial for rural and underserved communities in developing countries – groups that traditionally suffer from lack of access to health care.

The World Health Organization uses the following broad description of the term ‘telemedicine’: “The delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all health care professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation, and for the continuing education of health care providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities”. Notably, telemedicine is an open and constantly evolving science, as it incorporates new advancements in technology and responds and adapts to the changing health needs and contexts of societies. Telemedicine episodes may be classified on the basis of: (1) the interaction between the client and the expert (i.e. real-time or prerecorded), and (2) the type of information being transmitted (for example, text, audio, video).

In Kenya, a large portion of the population is unable to have face-to-face consults with medical providers and as a result, much of the care is triaged through community health workers and nurses and only those patients deemed to be in critical need of hospital services are transferred to see a medical provider. This situation is made worse by the fact that there is a shortage of approximately 50% of the needed health care workforce to meet the needs of the population in Africa. Telemedicine and other telehealth services are thus meant to address the very limited access to face-to-face medical consults and high medical cost which can consequently see a reduction in poverty, improved health and well-being, improved education, and economic growth.

In places such as Lamu County, where residents face extremely limited access to healthcare, the residents have now access to care-at-a-distance through the telemedicine project initiated by Huawei, Safaricom and local partners, which allows local healthcare workers and patients to remotely consult with specialists in towns and cities. There is a scarcity of licensed doctors and specialists in Lamu, and telemedicine is expected to transform medical care for low-income families in the region by reducing travel time and expenses; and 50% more patients will attend referrals each year, leading to significantly better patient outcomes. The Philips Foundation, a registered charity and platform for the worldwide societal activities of Royal Philips, has also since introduced mobile ultrasound technology, meant to improve maternal and child health, where ways will be explored to use mobile ultrasound technology at primary care level, performed by midwives and supported by remote experts through telehealth, to enhance availability of affordable services in the underserved communities and remote areas of Kenya.

Indeed, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council beginning in 2021 commenced issuing provisional approvals for various registered and licensed health institutions to offer virtual medical services. So far, about 20 health facilities have received approvals from KMPDC to offer telemedicine services in the country. However, the approvals only granted permission for the health facilities to offer virtual consultation health services and are subject to review every three months from date of issue. The move is in response to the growing need for the services due to physical distancing rules imposed by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19.

However, while telemedicine is no longer new in Kenya, the regulators are yet to review the regulatory framework to not only promote its growth and development, but also to ensure that those who use it are either held or benefit from the same standards of professional care as those under the traditional forms of medical care and data protection. Notably, the Health Act, 2017 defines “e-Health” to mean the combined use of electronic communication and information technology in the health Sector including telemedicine. Telemedicine and telehealth services can indeed supplement the investment in physical infrastructure in provision of health care services.

It has been noted that telemedicine is facing challenges due to gaps in implementation of the existing eHealth policy, lack of incorporation of the service aspect of eHealth, thereby not addressing the patient and absent regulation guiding some parts of the service aspect of eHealth, thereby leaving the patient exposed to unregulated practice. Hence, the proposed e-Health regulations were drafted in 2019 which, among others, bar health service providers from hosting the platforms outside Kenya (for data protection) and cover areas of virtual medicine, use of artificial intelligence in health and e-Learning including training of medical personnel and online based continuous professional development (CPD) points. Further, the regulations address establishment of virtual medical facilities prescribing disciplinary measures for any form of misconduct.

In addition to the Health Act, other relevant laws relating to ICT which is a key component of telemedicine regulate aspects of telemedicine or issues that are relevant to it. These acts include the Data Protection Act and the Consumer Protection Act. The laws regulating healthcare and health services providers have also put in place measures to safeguard against quacks taking advantage of technology to practice medicine or provide healthcare services against the law. Still, there is a pressing need for enactment of a unified law which regulates all aspects of telemedicine in Kenya to ensure certainty in regulatory compliance and to give confidence to investors venturing in the area on what to expect.

The issues of data privacy and use and storage of patient information is also need to be addressed to safeguard patients. Presently, data protection and privacy laws protect health data and the Data Protection Act imposes professional confidentiality. The HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act also provides for measures that apply in handling data and information relating to HIV status of patients. The problem arises because the use telemedicine exposes health services provisions to risk of cyberattacks which can see health data being hacked for ransom. It thus becomes necessary to put in place specific and dedicated regulations dealing with data protection in telemedicine to guarantee all angles are covered and reassure Kenyans who are concerned about their privacy in using ICT facilities to access healthcare.

There is no question telemedicine is here to stay and offers opportunities for huge saving especially in travelling costs and maximizing healthcare staff in enhancing access to health services in Kenya and beyond. Indeed, telemedicine promises to help in making the right to the highest attainable standard of health available to even more Kenyans. But issues such as language barriers need to be tackled and where necessary dedicated research on how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be adopted to enhance telemedicine offerings should be widely explored. The starting point is to put in place an elaborate legal and regulatory framework for telemedicine to be able to define who is a telemedicine services provide and what is expected of them to serve Kenyans better.

*This is article is an extract from an article by Dr. Kariuki Muigua, PhD, Muigua, K., “Ensuring Healthy Lives and Well-being for All Kenyans,” Available at: http://kmco.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Ensuring-Healthy-Lives-and-Wellbeing-for-All-Kenyans-Kariuki-Muigua-December-2020.pdf. Dr. Kariuki Muigua is Kenya’s foremost Environmental Law and Natural Resources Lawyer and Scholar, Sustainable Development Advocate and Conflict Management Expert. Dr. Kariuki Muigua is a Senior Lecturer of Environmental Law and Dispute resolution at the University of Nairobi School of Law and The Center for Advanced Studies in Environmental Law and Policy (CASELAP). He has published numerous books and articles on Environmental Law, Environmental Justice Conflict Management, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Sustainable Development. Dr. Muigua is also a Chartered Arbitrator, an Accredited Mediator, the Africa Trustee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Managing Partner of Kariuki Muigua & Co. Advocates. Dr. Muigua is recognized as one of the leading lawyers and dispute resolution experts by the Chambers Global Guide 2021 and nominated as ADR Practitioner of the Year (Nairobi Legal Awards) 2021.

References

Adler, N.E. and Newman, K., ‘Socioeconomic Disparities in Health: Pathways and Policies’ (2002) 21 Health Affairs 60.

Braveman, P. and Laura Gottlieb, ‘The Social Determinants of Health: It’s Time to Consider the Causes of the Causes’ (2014) 129 Public Health Reports 19.

Dominguez, E., The Right to Health,’ Icelandic Human Rights Centre, Available at: https://www.humanrights.is/en/human-rights-education-project/human-rights-concepts-ideas-and-fora/substantive-human-rights/the-right-to-health (accessed 23/11/2021).

Health Act, No. 21 of 2017, Laws of Kenya.

Kenya Health Policy 2012–2030.

Kiluwa Limited & another v Commissioner of Lands & 3 others [2015] eKLR.

KMPDC, “Report of Technical Working Group to Develop Guidelines and Checklists for Report on the Regulation of Electronic Health Practice in the Country,” Available at:https://kmpdc.go. ke/resources/4.%20Draft%200%20-%20Electronic%20Health%20Regulation.pdf (accessed 23/11/2021).

Mohamed Ali Baadi and others v Attorney General & 11 others [2018] eKLR.

Muigua, K., “Reconceptualising the Right to Clean and Healthy Environment in Kenya.” (2015).

Organization of African Unity (OAU), African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (“Banjul Charter”), 27 June 1981, CAB/LEG/67/3 rev. 5, 21 I.L.M. 58 (1982).

Peter K. Waweru v Republic [2006] eKLR.

Preamble, Constitution of the World Health Organization, Basic Documents, Forty-fifth edition, Supplement, October 2006, pp.1-18.

Shehla Zia v. WAPDA, PLD 1994 SC 693 Justice SALEEM AKHTAR (Supreme Court of Pakistan).

Tomaziu-Todosia M, ‘The Importance of Public Health Policies in the Social-Economic Development of Romania’ (2019) 10 Postmodern Openings 162.

Treaty making and Ratification Act, No. 45 of 2012, Laws of Kenya.

UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), General Comment No. 14: The Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health (Art. 12 of the Covenant), 11 August 2000, E/C.12/2000/4.

UN Commission on Human Rights, Convention on the Rights of the Child, 7 March 1990, E/CN.4/RES/1990/74.

UN General Assembly, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10 December 1948, 217 A (III).

UN General Assembly, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 16 December 1966, A/RES/2200.

UN General Assembly, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 18 December 1979, A/RES/34/180.

WHO, ‘Sustainable Development Goal 3: Health,’ Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/sustainable-development-goals#tab=tab_1 (accessed 23/11/2021).

Zalo, M., “The Emerging Practice of Telemedicine and the Law: Kenya’s Stance,” Available at: https://cipit.strathmore.edu/the-emerging-practice-of-telemedicine-and-the-law-kenyas-stance/ 1 (accessed 23/11/2021).

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News & Analysis

Brief Overview of Kenyan Bankruptcy Law

Published

3 weeks ago

February 20, 2025

Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates

Bankruptcy refers to the state where a debtor is unable to pay their debts when the debts become due. For a person to be bankrupt there must be an order by the court stating that they are unable to pay their debts.

Who can apply for a bankruptcy order?

Either the debtor or the debtor’s creditor(s) may apply to court for the issuance of bankruptcy Order.

What conditions must be met for the court to issue bankruptcy order?

Where the application for bankruptcy order is made by a debtor, they must satisfy the court that:

They are either domiciled in Kenya, personally present in Kenya or three years preceding the date of the application they have been ordinarily resident or carried business in Kenya.
Their debt meets the minimum prescribed threshold
They have not previously been adjudged bankrupt
They are not in the process of being adjudged bankrupt

When the application for bankruptcy order is made by creditor(s), they must satisfy the court that:

The debtor is either domiciled in Kenya, personally present in Kenya or three years preceding the date of the application they have been ordinarily resident or carried business in Kenya.
The debtor owes them a sum of money equal to or above the prescribed threshold
The debt is for a liquidated amount payable to the applicant creditor(s) either immediately or at some certain future time, and is unsecured
The debt is one that the debtor appears to be unable to pay or to have no reasonable prospect of being able to pay
There is no outstanding application to set aside a statutory demand in respect of the debt
They have given a notice of not less than twenty one days seeking payment of debt due immediately and the duration has lapsed without being paid
They obtained Judgment, served it on the debtor and after 21 days the decretal sum has not been paid
They have served on the debtor a demand requiring the debtor to establish to their satisfaction that there is a reasonable prospect that the debtor will be able to pay a debt payable in future, when it falls due and 21 days have lapsed without the demand being complied with or set aside.

Upon being satisfied that the above conditions have been met, the court issues a bankruptcy Order.

Can court issue a bankruptcy order on an application by secured creditors?

Court can make bankruptcy order on application by secured creditor(s) only when:

The application contains a statement by the person having the right to enforce the security that the creditor is willing, in the event of a bankruptcy order being made, to give up the security for the benefit of all the bankrupt’s creditors; OR,
The application is expressed not to be made in respect of the secured part of the debt and contains a statement by that person of the estimated value at the date of the application of the security for the secured part of the debt.

Under what circumstances can court dismiss an application for bankruptcy order?

The Court may dismiss an application if it is satisfied that either the debtor is able to pay all of the debtor’s debts; OR—

That the debtor has made an offer to secure or compound for a debt in respect of which the application is made
That the acceptance of that offer would have required the dismissal of the application; and
That the offer has been unreasonably refused.

What are the consequences of a Bankruptcy Order?

Where a trustee in bankruptcy has been appointed, the property of the bankrupt vests in the trustee. If no trustee has been appointed, the property of the bankrupt will vest in the Official Receiver to act as the interim trustee.
The bankrupt suffers all the disabilities of law for instance: they cannot run for elected positions, they can’t directors of a company, they can’t file suits in their own name, and they can’t enter into contracts.
No civil proceedings can be instituted or continued against the bankrupt once the order is made
The bankrupt has an obligation to provide a true and accurate account of all his assets, income and liabilities
The official receiver is entitled to recover assets that the bankrupt has transferred within two years immediately preceding the bankruptcy.
Does not extinguish debts of a bankrupt but only protects them from creditors commencing recovery proceedings without leave of court.

Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates

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Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates was established in 2013 by Mr. Kiragu Wathuta, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya called to the bar in the year 2009. Our firm is run by an organized team of proffessionals who are highly skilled and widely exposed to diverse areas of law and the industry in general.

We have built a name for PROFESSIONALISM AND EXPERTISE in various disciplines of legal services including but not limited to civil and commercial litigation, conveyance and property matters as well as commercial and corporate law practice.

We provide value-added service in consonance with each individual client’s needs. For our clients, their interests are paramount and the client is our number one priority.

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News & Analysis

What is Carbon Markets?

Published

8 months ago

July 8, 2024

MMA Advocates LLP

Written by Faith Nyambura Kabora, Advocate.

Carbon markets are a mechanism designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which are essentially gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the negative impacts of climate change such as prolonged drought and rising of sea levels.

Carbon markets operate on the principle of putting a price on carbon emissions to create commercial/economic incentives for public and private entities to reduce their carbon footprint and invest in cleaner, sustainable practices.

Ideally, by putting a price on carbon, the carbon markets encourage sustainable environmental practices and help counties meet their emission reduction targets under international treaties, like the Paris Agreement, which Kenya is a signatory to. For a broader understanding, here is how a carbon market works;

A Government establishes a limit on the total amount of greenhouse gas emission/pollution is allowed within its geographical limits;
A grant, say permissions are created and distributed to eligible participants. This allowance represents the right to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gas;
The participants can then buy and sell the allowances. Ideally, those who reduce their emissions more efficiently sell their surplus allowance to those who find it more challenging to reduce the emissions. If a company pollutes a lot, they need to buy more permissions, and if they do not pollute as much, they can sell their extra permissions.
Entities are required to hold enough allowances to cover their actual emissions. If they exceed allocated allowances, they face penalties or, as expounded above, they buy additional allowances. This is the part where compliance becomes mandatory for all the key players.
The price of the allowances fluctuates based on supply and demands and reflects the cost of emitting greenhouse gases. It is essentially like paying for pollution.

A carbon market plays a pivotal role in advancing climate action and promoting sustainable practices by incentivizing companies to reconsider their pollution practices, which can result in financial consequences as pollution becomes a costly endeavor. In Kenya, the introduction of a Carbon Market is imperative as the world confronts the dire consequences of climate change. Furthermore, it offers a commercial opportunity for investors considering the growing demand for environmentally friendly and carbon neutral products and services.

As mentioned above, the Paris Agreement is one of the most important international treaties dedicated strengthen global response to the negative impact of climate change. Ultimately, the Agreement’s goal is to motivate countries to limit global emissions and more importantly, to hold them accountable for their actions around reducing their carbon footprints.

Kenya as a signatory to the Paris Agreement has made significant contributions towards fulfilling the obligations under the Paris Agreement of limiting global temperature. The Climate Change (Amendment) Act 2023, nudges Kenya towards the realization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement by introducing provisions and regulation of and participation in carbon markets.

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As one of the top law firms in Nairobi, MMA Advocates is renowned for its proactive strategy and innovative legal lawyer advice. Our firm is committed to delivering strategic assistance that not only tackles current difficulties but also equips clients for future legal trends and advancements. As top lawyers in Nairobi Kenya, we take great satisfaction in our ability to combine in-depth legal knowledge with creative problem-solving. We keep a close eye on business trends and legal advancements to deliver timely guidance that enables our clients to make wise choices.

Our main goal as MMA Advocates is to establish long-lasting partnerships based on integrity, decency, and reliability. Since every client’s circumstance is unique, our best advocates in Kenya offer timely service and individualized attention at every stage of our collaboration. We make sure our clients are informed and empowered throughout their legal journey because we value openness and transparency in communication. In every case we take on, we are deeply committed to obtaining positive results and client satisfaction. This is just one aspect of our unwavering commitment to quality.

Whether you are a startup negotiating regulatory obstacles, an established corporation expanding, or a private citizen seeking legal assistance on personal problems, our Best Corporate Lawyers in Kenya are dedicated to becoming your legal partner. Our expertise include Commercial Litigation, Real Estate & Development, Fintech, Public Procurement (Public Private Partnerships), Project Finance, Public Law Litigation, Legal Audits & Compliance Advisory and Crisis Management.

We hope to arm you with the legal know-how and strategies needed to achieve your objectives. Our team enjoys taking on challenging legal matters with creativity and strategic understanding, protecting your rights and effectively achieving your goals. With a thorough comprehension of both regional laws and global norms, we are prepared to confidently and competently lead you through the complexities of corporate law.

In the intensely competitive legal arena, our tailored legal and strategic solutions distinguish us. We value depth over breadth, guaranteeing our clients our full dedication and unparalleled efficiency. Where many spread themselves wide, we narrow our focus to a select few of the most challenging cases. We tread the path less traveled.

To find out more about how MMA Advocates in Nairobi Kenya can help you with your legal issues, get in touch with us. With our team of committed professionals and our standing as one of the top law firms in Nairobi, we are well-positioned to offer outcomes that surpass expectations and guarantee your success in a legal environment that is always changing.

News & Analysis

Review: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Journal, Volume 12(3), 2024

Published

11 months ago

April 28, 2024

Kariuki Muigua & Company

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Journal, Volume. 12, No.3, 2024 covers pertinent and emerging issues across all ADR mechanisms. This volume exposes our readers to a variety of salient topics and concerns in ADR including Building Peace in Africa, Public Policy as a Ground of Setting-Aside an Arbitral Award, Ethics, Integrity and Best Practice in Mediation, Accessing Justice in Kenya, Sports Arbitration, ESG Arbitration, Arbitration of Investor-State Dispute in Kenya, Article 159(2) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and issuance of interim measures by Arbitral Tribunals. The ADR Journal is a publication of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Kenya Branch. It provides a platform for scholarly debate and in-depth investigations into both theoretical and practical questions in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

The journal is edited by Professor of Law at the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Law Hon Prof. Kariuki Muigua, a distinguished law scholar, an accomplished mediator and arbitrator with a Ph.D. in law from the University of Nairobi and widespread training and experience in both international and national commercial arbitration and mediation. Prof. Muigua is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)- Kenya chapter and also a Chartered Arbitrator. He is a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague. He also serves as a member of the National Environment Tribunal. He has served as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrator’s (CIArb- UK) Regional Trustee for Africa from 2019 -2022.

In the paper “Building Peace in Africa through Alternative Dispute Resolution” Hon. Prof. Kariuki Muigua critically discusses the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in peace building in Africa. The paper argues that ADR mechanisms can play a fundamental role in building peace in Africa. The paper further posits that ADR mechanisms are able to enhance sustainable peace in Africa due to their focus on reconciliation and restorative justice. It proposes solutions towards building peace in Africa through ADR.

In “the Emergence of the International Commercial Court: A Threat to Arbitration of Investor-State Dispute in Kenya” Marion Injendi Wasike and Dr. Kenneth W. Mutuma argue that the proliferation of international commercial courts, including their introduction in Kenya, necessitates a thorough analysis of their implications on arbitration’s role in investor-state disputes. By juxtaposing these emerging judicial entities against traditional arbitration paradigms, the discussion aims to unravel the complexities and potential shifts in dispute resolution preferences, highlighting the balance between innovation in legal adjudication and the sustenance of arbitration’s revered position in the international legal order.

Kamau Karori SC, MBS in “Striking a Balance: A Delicate Dance Between Sanctity and Scrutiny” notes that the continuing debate —between upholding the inviolability of arbitral awards and judicial intervention in cases of egregious injustice points to the need for delicate balancing between non-interference and the need to correct unmistakably unjust awards. The urgency of this discourse is informed by the need to prevent consumers or potential consumers of arbitration services opting to exclude arbitration clauses due to perceived deficiencies. The article seeks to navigate the genesis of the debate, delicately dissect the different perspectives, and draw comparisons with global practices.

The article “Reforming Kenya’s Law on Probation and Aftercare Services to Promote Alternative Dispute Resolution” by Michael Sang engages in a comprehensive exploration of Kenya’s Probation of Offenders Act within the context of the growing role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) principles in the nation’s criminal justice system. Drawing inspiration from international legal instruments such as “The Beijing Rules,” “Bangkok Rules,” and “Tokyo Rules,” the study evaluates the Act’s provisions, strengths, and limitations. It concludes with a call for thoughtful reforms that align Kenya’s criminal justice system with international standards, emphasizing a balanced and compassionate approach to justice.

The “Upholding Ethics, Integrity and Best Practice in Mediation” by Hon. Prof. Kariuki Muigua, OGW critically discusses the need for standardization of mediation practice in Kenya by adopting best practices. It examines some of the challenges facing mediation practice in Kenya. It is also explores measures adopted towards fostering best practices in mediation at both the global and national level. The paper further suggests recommendations aimed at upholding ethics, integrity and best practice in mediation. In “Exploring the Role of Mediation in Promoting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Fostering Economic Growth in Kenya” Atundo Wambare offers an in-depth analysis of the use of mediation in promoting the growth of small and medium enterprises (SME’s). He makes recommendations on how best mediation can be harnessed as a tool for economic growth in Kenya.

James Njuguna and Nyamboga George Nyanaro in “Compulsory Resolution or Autonomy Erosion? The Debate on Mandatory Sports Arbitration delve into the contentious issue of mandatory sports arbitration, questioning its role as a potential future pathway for dispute resolution. Their research examines the implications of compulsory arbitration on athletes’ autonomy, juxtaposing it with the benefits of expedited dispute resolution.

Paul Ngotho in “Constitution of Kenya 2010 Article 159.2.(c): Ancestry, Anatomy, Efficacy & Legacy” traces the rather odd origin and everlasting effect of the often-cited Article 159.2.(c) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. It acknowledges the central role played by two members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Kenya Branch, quietly and privately, away from the mainstream constitution making process. One of them chairman of the Branch, the other the Minister of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs.

David Onsare in “Navigating The ESG Maze: Emerging Trends in Arbitration and Corporate Accountability” embarks on a timely exploration of the dynamic interplay between Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors and arbitration, a field gaining critical importance in the realm of corporate accountability. By offering a comprehensive view of the complexities and practical implications of ESG in arbitration, the article serves as a crucial guide for legal professionals navigating the evolving landscape of corporate responsibility and arbitration. In “Public Policy as a Ground of Setting-Aside an Arbitral Award: Musings on the Centurion Engineers Civil Appeal Judgment”

Ibrahim Kitoo argues a case for upholding of public policy as a ground for the nonrecognition, non-enforcement and setting aside of an arbitral award in cases where to recognise and enforce such awards proves to be a clear violation of the law and against the public good. Juvenalis Ngowi in “Arbitral Tribunals: Do they have the power to issue interim measures during the proceedings?” discusses the powers of the Arbitral Tribunal to grant such orders and examines some procedural rules which empower arbitrators to issue such orders, the scope of those powers, and the factors to be considered when granting interim measures in the arbitral proceedings.

In “Examining the Efficacy of Mediation as A Tool for Accessing Justice in Kenya: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Perspectives” Murithi Antony undertakes a thorough examination of mediation as a form of ADR in the Kenyan context. He identifies opportunities arising from the integration of mediation into the country’s legal system and explores barriers impeding its widespread adoption. The article concludes with a resounding call to action for all stakeholders to champion the use of mediation collaboratively and proactively, given its proven efficacy in dispute resolution.

Kariuki Muigua & Company

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Kariuki Muigua & Company Advocates is a Top-Tier Kenyan law firm situated at the heart of Nairobi city in Kenya. We are a broad-based practice with a reputation for offering a full range of quality services to our domestic and international clients.

At KM&CO, we take pride in offering personalized attention to our diverse clientele. Our practice aspires to offer efficient and cost-effective legal solutions that meet our esteemed clients’ needs in a timely and competent manner.

KM&CO was founded in 1993 by the current senior Advocate, Dr. Kariuki Muigua. It is based in the Central Business District of Nairobi at the Pioneer Assurance House located opposite 7th August Bomb Blast Memorial Park enjoying the convenience of close proximity to major financial, commercial and governmental institutions.

We are open for consultations with our clients worldwide; we have lawyers on standby for 24 hours to cover diverse time zones that impact on our global clients.