REPORT ON THE TWO-DAY SENSITISATION TRAINING ON THE NATIONAL CORONERS SERVICE ACT

Dates: 17–18 August 2026
Venue: Golden Tulip Hotel, Westlands, Nairobi
Organisers: Social Justice Movement (SJM), in partnership with International Justice Mission (IJM Kenya) and the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice
Theme: Right to Life Working Group Sensitisation on the National Coroners Service Act

1. Introduction

The Social Justice Movement (SJM), through its Right to Life Working Group, in partnership with International Justice Mission (IJM Kenya) and the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice, convened a two-day sensitisation training on the National Coroners Service Act on 17–18 August 2026 at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Westlands, Nairobi.

The training brought together members of the Right to Life Working Group and other relevant stakeholders to deepen understanding of the National Coroners Service Act, its institutional framework, implementation gaps and the roadmap towards its full operationalisation. The training also examined how the implementation of the Act can strengthen accountability, improve investigations into deaths and enhance access to justice for families and communities.

2. Objectives of the Training

The training sought to:

• Enhance participants’ understanding of the National Coroners Service Act and its key provisions.
• Examine the gaps that the Act seeks to address in the investigation and management of deaths.
• Understand the institutional framework established under the Act.
• Review the status of implementation and the roadmap towards full operationalisation of the National Coroners Service.
• Examine the impact of the Act on families, communities and access to justice.
• Strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders and communities to engage with the implementation process.
• Develop effective public communication and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on the Coroners Act.
• Prepare for public participation and community advocacy on the implementation of the Act.

3. Proceedings and Key Sessions

The first day began with registration, opening prayers and remarks from representatives of the Social Justice Movement, the Right to Life Working Group and IJM Kenya.

A key session focused on understanding the gaps that the National Coroners Act seeks to address. Participants discussed the challenges surrounding investigations into deaths, particularly deaths occurring in circumstances that require independent and credible investigation.

Presentation by the Office of the Attorney General

One of the key facilitators was Wangechi Mwangi from the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice, who took participants through the National Coroners Service Act, its key provisions and the implementation framework.

The session provided an opportunity for participants to understand the legal and institutional architecture created by the Act, including the intended role of the National Coroners Service and the importance of establishing an independent and professional system for investigating deaths.

Ms. Mwangi also took participants through the implementation roadmap, highlighting the steps required to move from the legal framework towards effective operationalisation of the National Coroners Service. The discussion was particularly important for members of the Right to Life Working Group because it provided clarity on where implementation currently stands and the areas where civil society and communities can engage with government.

Participants were able to ask questions and seek clarification on various aspects of the Act and its implementation.

4. Status of the Act and Path to Full Operationalisation

Another important session examined where the country currently stands in the implementation of the National Coroners Service Act and the path towards full operationalisation.

The discussion underscored that passing legislation is only the beginning. For the Act to have a meaningful impact, the necessary institutions, personnel, resources, regulations and operational mechanisms must be put in place.

For human rights defenders and communities, full implementation is particularly significant because it can contribute to more credible investigations into deaths and reduce conflicts of interest where institutions responsible for policing or other State functions may otherwise have a role in investigating deaths involving their own officers.

5. The Act and Its Impact on Families and Communities

The training further explored what the implementation of the National Coroners Service Act will change for families, communities and justice.

Participants discussed the importance of families receiving credible answers regarding the circumstances and causes of death of their loved ones. An effective coronial system can provide an independent mechanism for establishing the circumstances surrounding deaths, preserving evidence and generating findings that can support accountability and justice.

A mock case was used to demonstrate how a coronial process can work in practice and how different actors may contribute to establishing the circumstances surrounding a death.

6. Role of Human Rights Defenders and Communities

On the second day, the training examined “From Law to Impact: The Role of HRDs and Communities.”

The session emphasised that human rights defenders and communities have an important role to play in ensuring that the National Coroners Service does not remain a law on paper but becomes a functioning institution that serves the public.

Participants reflected on how communities can document cases, engage relevant institutions, participate in public forums and advocate for effective implementation while ensuring that families of deceased persons remain at the centre of the process.

7. Public Participation and Communication

The participants also developed plans for upcoming public participation on the National Coroners Service Act.

A separate session focused on developing an effective public communication strategy. The discussion recognised the importance of translating complex legal provisions into language that ordinary citizens can understand.

The training therefore emphasised the development of accessible IEC materials that can be used by social justice centres, human rights defenders, community organisations and other stakeholders to sensitise the public on the Coroners Act.

8. Key Outcomes

The two-day training achieved several important outcomes:

1. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the National Coroners Service Act and its institutional framework.
2. Participants were taken through the implementation roadmap and gained greater clarity on the steps towards full operationalisation.
3. The Right to Life Working Group strengthened its capacity to engage in advocacy around the implementation of the Act.
4. Participants identified opportunities for community engagement and public participation.
5. The training strengthened collaboration between the Social Justice Movement, IJM Kenya and the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice.
6. Participants developed a clearer understanding of how the Act can contribute to accountability and justice for families affected by deaths requiring investigation.
7. The need for effective public communication and accessible IEC materials was emphasised.
8. The training provided a foundation for continued advocacy and monitoring of the implementation of the National Coroners Service.

9. Conclusion and Way Forward

The two-day sensitisation demonstrated that the National Coroners Service Act has the potential to significantly strengthen Kenya’s system for investigating deaths and advancing the right to life. However, the effectiveness of the law will ultimately depend on its full and timely implementation.

The Social Justice Movement, through the Right to Life Working Group, will continue working with partners and relevant government institutions to create public awareness, participate in public engagement processes and monitor the implementation of the Act.

The training also reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that families and communities have access to credible, independent and professional processes for establishing the circumstances surrounding deaths.

Full operationalisation of the National Coroners Service should therefore be treated not merely as an administrative or legal obligation, but as an important step towards strengthening accountability, protecting the right to life and ensuring justice for victims and their families.