PIONEER free legal camp
It is seven in the morning. The weather in Ngong’ town is as cold as expected on the foothills of the windward side of the picturesque Ngong’ Hills, with its dense green vegetation. I alight at the modern Ngong’ bus stage and start to walk towards Milele Mall as I greet and invite those who I meet on the way to the important function taking place today.
I use the Gate B entrance and join the first people to be inspected by the security personnel who do satisfactory service. With this, I am assured of security for the guests and visitors who will attend the event, a free legal camp. It is the first of its kind in Rotary District 9212, and is is jointly organised by the Rotary Club of Ngong’ Hills and my club, the Rotaract Club of Ngong’ Hills on this day 25th January 2020.
On a normal day, the grounds would be open, with people walking in and out on foot, but on this special day, white tents fill my field of view, depicting the purpose of the legal camp, which is to offer advice and solutions to persons in the community on various legal matters like divorce, inheritance, crime, education, human rights, among others. I think that I am the first one to arrive, but no, my able secretary has beat me to it. She and the professional team who are helping in setting up the chairs and tables have been here a while. I am not surprised by her efficiency. I join in immediately to help as I make calls. As a leader, I am proud of how the event is unfolding. My International Service Director has been on the ground for the whole week to ensure that everything goes according to plan.
In previous years, there have always been camps that deal with medical issues like optical, dental and cancer screening, but there has never been a legal camp in the whole of Kenya, the District and the region. Our club had a medical camp for street children in 2017/18 where we treated over 800 street families. It was a joint medical camp with the Rotary Club of Ongata Rongai and others at the Ngong Sub-County hospital in 2018/19, where tooth extractions and eye surgeries were done. There is also an upcoming free medical camp with one of the newest Rotary Clubs in town, RC Ongata Rongai East.
The absence of a legal clinic is what inspired RC Ngong Hills President, Mr. Martin Miriti, together with me and our boards of directors to come up with and implement the idea. So, we came up with a committee and drew a detailed plan, reached out to lawyers, in and out of Rotary, who readily agreed to offer their legal expertise for free on this day. They were experienced at their work, with many years of practising law. These included Assistant Governor Gilda Odera who was the Guest of Honour, and Miss Irene Waweru. Everything is ready by 8.30 am, and the event is officially opened at 9.00 am by AG Gilda in the presence of Club Presidents, lawyers, officials and members who have come to volunteer.
One by one, members of the community come in with different issues that needed interpretation. The Rotaractors were also not left behind in ensuring that everything works well by registering and directing the visitors and residents to the appropriate desks. Those who are being attended to have come from various parts of Kajiado North Constituency in Kajiado County, namely Ongata Rongai, Nkaimurunya, Olkeri and Oloolua wards. They come in small numbers but over a long spread of time until evening so there are no long queues. Due to the long sittings, the lawyers work in shifts.
By evening, the number of those who have received legal services is below 100, a considerable figure given it is a legal camp and the law requires a lot of time to be interpreted especially to those who are not in that field. Food is served to all those who volunteer, and even the casual workers and security team. We eat to our satisfaction.
The legal camp comes to an end at 5 pm as the final speeches and vote of thanks are given and is followed by a photo session. As they say, “If it was not documented, it never happened.” It is time for the curtains to be closed.
As I bid the guests farewell, I am filled with happiness. My club members and those of my mother club are extremely happy. What had never happened before has now taken place. It is momentous! We cannot believe it. It takes us some time to accept the reality that we have made history. It feels fulfilling to have served the community in this manner.
Article by: Jejo Mapacha Joaquim ||President 2019/20 || Rotaract Club of Ngong Hills
