Three Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) law students emerged the 1st Runners-Up when they showcased their sharp grasp of legal and mediation skills at the 4th Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch International Intervarsity Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Moot Competition held at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) from August 17–20, 2026.
The competition brought together 18 universities from Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Zambia, challenging participants to apply ADR principles to complex commercial disputes involving contractual frustration, commercial pressure, financial obligations, and foreign investor confidence.
The JKUAT team comprised Ryan Kabethi, Prudence Esnas, and Quince Okoth, all first-year students. They were coached by Grace Gakii, a JKUAT alumna currently serving at the Kenya School of Law (KSL).
The team delivered a strong performance throughout the competition, winning the preliminary rounds against Kabarak University, Southeastern Kenya University, and Zetech University, before beating Makerere University and African Nazarene University in the knockout stages to advance to the finals, where they emerged second overall.
Speaking on their performance, Quince Okoth said, the team worked diligently to prepare for the competition, combining classroom knowledge with extensive research, practice, and teamwork to navigate the complex legal issues presented during the moot.
“The moot court contest gave us a deeper understanding of ADR and provided an opportunity to apply what we have learnt in class to practical legal scenarios,” said Okoth.
Okoth also underscored the importance of aspiring young lawyers participating in moot court competitions, noting that such platforms provide valuable opportunities to develop legal research, advocacy, critical thinking, teamwork, and practical problem-solving skills.
Dr. Dennis Ndambo, JKUAT Moot Court Coordinator and Patron of the JKUAT Mooting Club, emphasised the importance of experiential learning through moot court competitions, noting that such platforms enable students to sharpen their legal skills, build confidence, and gain practical exposure to the application of law.
He noted that JKUAT students continue to excel in moot court competitions, providing further evidence of the quality of legal training and the growing strength of experiential learning at the University.
The strong performance, one of many recent achievements by JKUAT law students, continues to underscore the University’s commitment to experiential legal education, providing students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to complex legal scenarios, while developing practical skills in mediation, negotiation, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution.
