Hon. Grace Sitati Headlines JKUAT Karen’s First Mediation Lecture - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

*(From L-R) Monica Wanyotu and Hon Grace Sitati receive a token of appreciation in the form of a JKUAT Law Journal from Noel Simiyu, and Makena Njiru, accredited student mediators.*

JKUAT School of Law, Karen Campus hosted Hon. Grace Sitati Nasike, Head of the Court Annexed Mediation Secretariat at the Judiciary of Kenya. She delivered the inaugural guest lecture under the Beyond 40 Hours: From Training to Action series, an initiative designed to strengthen practical mediation competencies and enhance the integration of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms within legal education.

The event, attended by students, staff, and alumni, aimed to extend learning beyond accreditation through reflection, practical activities, and engagement with experienced practitioners.

The Principal, Karen Campus, Prof. Hellen Mberia delivers her remarks during the event.

Held on 13 November 2025, the event marked a significant milestone for the University’s inaugural mediation cohort. It forms part of a structured sequence of lectures under the 40-Hour Mediation Certification Training, delivered in collaboration with the Strathmore Dispute Resolution Centre (SDRC), which commenced in September 2025. The training was made possible through the support of Mohammed Muigai LLP and Senior Counsel Hon. Prof. Kariuki Muigua.

Delivering her lecture, Hon. Sitati guided the participants through the key inner skills required for effective mediation. She underscored the role of emotional intelligence in mediation, stressing that mediators must understand their emotional triggers, manage their reactions to maintain neutrality, and uphold ethical practice through self-awareness.

*Project Lead, Ms. J. Muthoni Mwangi, Assistant Lecturer at the School of Law.*

She further noted that social awareness and relationship management foster trust, and emphasized that parties form impressions early, making emotional consistency essential.

Her lecture also focused on the broader behavioral competencies that support impartial, confident, and constructive mediation practice.

The Principal, Karen Campus, Prof. Hellen Mberia welcomed the Head of the Court Annexed Mediation Secretariat at the Judiciary of Kenya, noting that her visit represents an important step in strengthening collaboration between the campus and the Judiciary in advancing mediation training and practice.

The training has been instrumental in equipping approximately 15 students and staff, now certified mediators, with the skills to manage disputes effectively and professionally, under the guidance of the Project Lead, Ms. J. Muthoni Mwangi, Assistant Lecturer at the School of Law.