Council of Legal Education accredits MKU to offer law degree

The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has now fully accredited Mount Kenya University (MKU) to offer law degree courses.

In a letter to MKU Vice-Chancellor Stanley Waudo dated July 30, CLE acting CEO J K Gakeri said the decision to accredit the university was arrived at following on-the-site inspection of its school of law in May 2018.

The university has been operating under an interim licence.

“The Institution’s intake for LL.B programme is hereby limited to a maximum of 200 students per [intake]. The Council shall have the sole discretion to review this condition on its own motion or on application by the university,” reads the letter.

It goes on: “As evidence of compliance with this condition, the institution must provide as part of its annual report the data on students enrolled to the programme each year/intake.”

ACTION PLAN

CLE has also give the university three month, from July 30, to submit a corrective action plan report for all the areas where it is required to ensure compliance as highlighted in the inspection report.

“The institution must purpose to attain the prescribed full-time academic staff to student ratio of 1:15 within 12months from the date of the license,” adds the letter.

MKU will also be required to only take students who meet the minimum LL.B admission requirements as prescribed by the Legal Education Act, 2012, the Kenya School of Law Act, 2012 and attendant regulations, as evidence of compliance with the condition.

LIST OF STUDENTS

It will also be required to provide a list of all students enrolled to the programme and their qualifications.

“The institution shall enhance institutional research and publication at the school of law. The Council encourages the development of an effective linkage between faculty research and budgetary support on the one hand and institutional research and publications in the niche area on the other. The institution should develop structures to encourage faculty and student research and enhance support for students as well,” it adds.

RESEARCH PLATFORM

CLE also want MKU to develop a research platform in the niche area and support staff and student development in the area.

“The institution must submit annual reports not later than January 15 of each calendar year for the duration of the licence,” reads the letter, adding that MKU comply with the CLE guidelines for legal education licensing and other requirements stipulated by the council.

MKU now joins Riara University, Nazarene University, the University of Nairobi, Egerton University, Strathmore University, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta School of Law and Catholic University of Eastern Africa School of Law which are fully accredited to train lawyers.