Get free legal aid from the National Legal Aid Service (NLAS)
National Legal Aid Service · sources read 30 Sep 2026
If you can't afford a lawyer, apply to the National Legal Aid Service for free legal help: fill the NLAS application form online or at any NLAS office. NLAS decides within 48 hours.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- A decision within 48 hours of applying
- Where
- Online through 'Apply for Legal Aid' on nlas.go.ke, or at an NLAS office (headquarters: Kenya Charity Sweepstake House, Mama Ngina Street, Nairobi)
What you need
- Proof of income, if you have any. If you have none, you swear an affidavit saying so.
- Any documents about your case
Steps
- Fill the NLAS legal aid application form: online through the 'Apply for Legal Aid' link on nlas.go.ke, or at any NLAS office.
- Attach proof of income, or swear an affidavit if you have no proof.
- Wait for NLAS to decide. It must decide within 48 hours of receiving your application.
- If you are turned down, NLAS gives you the reasons and you can ask for a review or appeal.
Watch out
- Some civil cases are not covered: tax, debt recovery, defamation, and bankruptcy or insolvency.
- You can ask for legal aid at any stage of a case, as long as the court has not yet given its final decision.
- Not sure where to start? Call the NLAS toll-free line 0800 720 640.
Who can apply
- People living in Kenya who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer, and who are Kenyan citizens, children, refugees, victims of human trafficking, internally displaced or stateless persons.
- NLAS currently treats people earning less than KSh 30,000 a month as eligible.
- It is for individuals (natural persons), not companies.
Official sources (5)
- Legal Aid nlas.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- FAQs nlas.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- NLAS Service Charter nlas.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Homepage nlas.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- NLAS portal login portal.nlas.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026