NGO / Non-Profit Associations
"Empowering justice through legal aid and human rights advocacy."
Kit Cha Sharia, commonly known as KIT UO, stands as the oldest and most seasoned non-governmental organization in Kenya dedicated to providing legal aid and championing human rights. Its mission is to empower marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities while promoting fairness and equitable access to justice for all citizens.
Established on July 9, 1973, KIT UO was founded during a period when Kenya had adopted a relatively progressive democratic Constitution at independence. However, the legal framework inherited from colonial rule remained largely unchanged, as the government systematically revised the 1969 Constitution to align with pre-existing colonial statutes. This process created a legal anomaly, as many of these laws—simply rebranded as Acts of Parliament—had never undergone proper legislative scrutiny or public debate. Many of these statutes were inherently discriminatory, perpetuating inequalities based on race, class, and gender, while widespread illiteracy and unfamiliarity with the legal system left ordinary Kenyans at a severe disadvantage.
Compounding these challenges, access to legal representation was severely limited. Legal practitioners were scarce, prohibitively expensive, and largely inaccessible to impoverished citizens. As a result, poor Kenyans facing legal or human rights issues—such as landlord-tenant disputes—often struggled to protect their rights or navigate the judicial system effectively.
