Maseno University Hosts a Trial Advocacy Training to Strengthen Courtroom Skills
The Maseno University School of Law successfully hosted a five-day Trial Advocacy Training from March 23–27, 2026, at its Kisumu Campus. The intensive program brought together legal professionals, faculty, and judicial officers in a collaborative effort aimed at strengthening practical courtroom skills among aspiring and practicing advocates.
The training was officially opened by the Dean of the School of Law, Prof. Nicholas Orago, who welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of practical legal training in advancing justice. He noted that effective advocacy plays a critical role in enabling courts to reach fair and informed decisions.
Among the key representatives present were Steve Fury, Founder of Justice Advocacy Africa (JAA), and Rose Mbanya, President of the Trial Advocacy Training Institute (TATI). They were joined by a distinguished faculty team comprising Christine Owino, Dave Siganga, Dr. Elvis Obenga, and Goreti Savio, who facilitated various training sessions.
The program was a collaborative initiative involving several institutions, including the Trial Advocacy Training Institute (TATI), Justice Advocacy Africa (JAA), Mombasa Law Society (MLS), and the Maseno University School of Law..
Notably, the training also featured visiting judicial officers who enriched the sessions with practical insights from the bench. These included Justice Judy Omange of the Environment and Land Court in Kajiado, and Benson Ireri Nyaga, Chief Magistrate in Kisumu.
The core philosophy of the program centered on the belief that advocacy skills cannot be mastered through theory alone. Drawing from the “learning by doing” model pioneered by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, the training emphasized experiential learning—where participants actively engaged in courtroom simulations, including examination-in-chief, cross-examination, and legal argumentation.
Organizers highlighted that just as athletes must practice to excel in their sport, trial lawyers must repeatedly perform courtroom tasks to build competence and confidence. As such, the training prioritized hands-on exercises, with faculty dedicating most of the time to guiding participants through practical sessions and offering structured feedback.
Rather than relying heavily on lectures, the faculty limited demonstrations and instead focused on participant performance, ensuring each trainee gained real-time experience in trial advocacy.
The program concluded with the awarding of certificates of attendance to participants, marking the successful completion of the training and reinforcing Maseno University’s commitment to producing practice-ready legal professionals.
