The draft Legal Education (Licensing and Quality Assurance) Regulations, 2026 would establish procedures for licensing and accrediting legal education providers, define quality standards and provide mechanisms for supervision, renewal, suspension and termination of licenses. The accompanying Legal Education (Advocates Training Programme) Regulations, 2026 would create a framework for accrediting providers of the Advocates Training Programme, set standards that accredited providers must maintain and establish procedures of monitoring and addressing non-compliance.
The proposals follow the Court of Appeal’s decision in Otinga v Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education & 3 others [2025] KECA 460 (KLR). The Court held that the Legal Education Act provides the governing framework for legal education and training, including the Advocates Training Programme, and granted orders requiring the Council to develop standards and a regulatory framework for licensing providers other than the Kenya School of Law.
The Council formally handed the drafts to the Attorney-General on 9 September 2026 following stakeholder consultation. They will now undergo review by the Office of the Attorney-General and the statutory instruments process, including consideration by the National Assembly, before gazettement.