By Wycliff Owino.
As many Kenyans counted losses during the recent floods that hit parts of the country causing unmitigated disaster and loss of lives, Shadrack Otieno, a casual labourer who ekes a living as a builder and lives in the heart of Kibera slums was grappling with a different matter.
Displacement of families from flood prone riparian land had led to a sudden surge in demand for rental houses , with a corresponding hike in cost of the few available units. Landlord seized this opportunity to evict tenants known for irregular and delayed rent payments, a group Shadrack was unfortunate to belong to.
Enter Eric Omondi Zakaria, a dedicated paralegal and youth leader committed to fairly and expeditiously resolving community legal issues within the Kibera informal settlement. A graduate of the first paralegal cohort Crime Si Poa trained in conjunction with Strathmore University Law Clinic, Zac understood the complexities of the informal settlements tenancy “laws” and recognized Shadrack’s determination to keeping the room he called home despite financial challenges. With empathy and strategic mediation skills, Zac facilitated a dialogue between Shadrack and his landlord.
Through Zac’s intervention, Shadrack agreed to clear his rent arrears in manageable installments, demonstrating his commitment to fulfilling his obligations. In return, the landlord acknowledged Shadrack’s value as a tenant within the community and agreed to uphold his tenancy rights.
This collaborative resolution not only secured Shadrack’s immediate housing but also strengthened community cohesion and trust in legal processes. Zac’s timely approach exemplifies the transformative power of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in marginalized communities like Kibera, where access to traditional legal services is limited.
“With Legal empowerment being a key component of Crime Si Poa’s people centered justice approach, interventions of our trained paralegals like Zac’s, highlights the importance of fairness and equity in resolving disputes and aids community members to navigate legal challenges with dignity and resilience”, says Carol Njanja – Legal Support Services lead at Crime Si Poa.
Carol goes on to say that this story illuminates the potential of ADR and grassroots paralegals to promote social justice and equity in marginalized communities, since rights also come with responsibilities.