Justice Nest founder and executive director Miriam Wachira emphasized the urgency of the program, stating: “Without the support of our paralegals, men and women in prison—the majority of whom are pre-trial and therefore legally innocent under the Kenyan constitution—are likely to languish in prison without anyone to defend them.”

Official data shows the outsized impact of prison paralegals; each paralegal, on average, works on 96 cases annually, securing release for approximately 32 individuals.

Armed with legal knowledge, paralegals identify systemic rights violations and advocate for remedies through the courts.

Kenya’s prison population stands at approximately 60,000, with 60% of inmates in pre-trial detention.

The prison paralegal model has proven to be both cost-effective and sustainable in regions with limited access to formal legal representation, enabling inmates to better understand and navigate the justice system.

Justice Nest brings deep expertise in paralegal training and legal education within prisons and is committed to replicating this successful model across Kenya.

The organization has secured buy-in from Mombasa’s prison administration to roll out the program.

Ms Wachira notes, “The upfront costs we are fundraising for are essential to the launch of our paralegal program, which is a core pillar of our work to ensure access to justice for vulnerable families and individuals in Kenya.”

Justice Nest is seeking $20,000 (Ksh. 2.5 million) to implement the program at Shimo La Tewa.
The funds will support renovations to create legal offices within the prison, equipment purchases including desktop computers and printers, hiring an experienced legal advocate to mentor and support the paralegals post-training, and meals for trainees during the training sessions.
At Justice Nest, our mission is to protect and restore families in contact with the justice system, with a special focus on women, children, and prisoners.
By equipping inmates with legal knowledge and tools, we believe we can create pathways to justice, reduce overcrowding, and reunite families.

Justice Nest is also focused on improving access to legal aid through its paralegal initiatives. Speaking on behalf of Lady Justice Matheka, Ms. Wachira reiterated the vital role of paralegals:
“Paralegals play a crucial role under the guidance of advocates to provide legal awareness for those in custody. Justice Nest’s embrace of this focus area paves the way for meaningful collaboration.”

With programs already underway at Shimo la Tewa Women’s Maximum and Medium Prisons, Justice Nest is breaking ground on impactful initiatives that are reshaping Kenya’s justice landscape. By empowering inmates and addressing the needs of mothers and children, the organization is making strides toward a justice system that prioritizes hope, restoration, and inclusion.

The launch of Justice Nest is more than an event—it is the beginning of a movement to ensure justice serves every family, child, and individual with compassion and dignity.