Supreme Court Justice Isaac Lenaola has expressed concern over the growing neglect of boys, warning that without targeted interventions, they risk falling behind, especially in education. Speaking during the launch of the Kenyan Section of the ICJ’s 2025–2030 strategic plan, Lenaola highlighted a recent Judiciary recruitment exercise where only four of 32 applicants were men—and just one man was selected—as a sign of the emerging disparity.
While acknowledging the vital strides made in empowering women and girls, Lenaola urged a balanced approach that also addresses the declining academic and social outcomes of boys. His concerns align with a 2017 National Gender and Equality Commission report, which confirmed boys were lagging behind due to family, cultural, and peer influences.
At the event, Lenaola praised ICJ’s new strategic plan, calling it a major step toward strengthening justice and democratic accountability. The six-year blueprint focuses on judicial independence, legal capacity building, and expanding access to justice, with over 180 paralegals and 100 community justice actors trained so far. ICJ also aims to bolster institutional resilience in the face of national disruptions, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure civil society continues its vital work.
