A few things we’re great at
CMRSL advances LGBTQ+ rights through strategic litigation, criminal defence, legal aid, and advocacy initiatives. The organization challenges discriminatory laws in court, provides legal representation and free legal support to vulnerable individuals, and promotes human rights awareness through trainings, community engagement, and public education programs.
Strategic Litigation
CMRSL uses constitutional litigation to challenge discriminatory laws and practices affecting LGBTQ+ persons in Kenya. Through landmark court cases, the organization promotes rights such as privacy, freedom of expression, safety, accountability, and equal protection under the law.
protection under the law.
Criminal Defence Cases
CMRSL provides legal representation to LGBTQ+ persons charged under discriminatory provisions of the Kenyan Penal Code. The organization works to ensure fair trials, protect human rights, and challenge criminalization targeting sexual and gender minorities
Legal Aid
CMRSL offers free legal assistance and advice to LGBTQ+ individuals facing various legal challenges, including eviction, assault, discrimination, custody disputes, inheritance conflicts, and online abuse. The program improves access to justice for vulnerable community members.
IMpact Advocacy
CMRSL advances human rights advocacy through training, public education, community engagement, and digital campaigns. Initiatives such as moot courts, podcasts, and human rights monitoring strengthen awareness, documentation, and protection of LGBTQ+ rights.
STRATEGIC LITIGATION
CMRSL has successfully filed several constitutional petitions
Msa HC. Petition number 18 of 2019, M. Vs The Kenya Film Classification Board. The suit seeks to fight discrimination and uphold the right to expression among others.
Msa HC. Petition Number 19 of 2019, M. vs The Attorney General. The case seeks to uphold the right to privacy.
MSA HCHRPET E048 OF 2023- JM AND CMRSL VS THE IG OF POLICE AND OTHER- the petition seeks address safety, human rights and handling of demostrations targeting LGBTQ community and calling for accountability and justice for individuals affected.
CRIMINAL DEFENCE CASES
We are representing LGBTQ+ persons who have been charged with sections 162, 163, 165 of the Kenyan Penal code across the country
LEGAL AIDÂ
We have served over 1700 LGBTQ persons in need of legal assistance and advices from cases spanning from
Child custody
Inheritance
Physical assaultsÂ
Forced house evictions
Unfair employment dismissal
Blackmails and revenge porn
IMPACT ADVOCACY
Annual SOGIE-SC Moot court
Training 50 HRDS, HRA, Paralegals and human rights monitors on secure documentation and reporting using Tella App as a rapid human rights monitoring tool
Podcast sessions under theme Breaking Barriers
Community opinion leaders sensitization