Law students representing Kenya in an international competition emerged top trouncing their colleagues from other reputable institutions across the continent.
Two students from Kenyatta University emerged top in the All Africa Competition on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the competition hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nairobi.
Raphael Gitau and Gladys Nyangweso from Kenyatta University school of law were crowned winners after they outclassed students from Kampala International University(Uganda), Kigali Independent University (Rwanda), Bahirdar University (Ethiopia), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife (Nigeria), and University of Juba (South Sudan)
The competitions involved students participating in a series of lectures and scenarios where they were challenged through role-playing to put IHL into action.
The awards aim at fostering IHL research initiatives through developing a generation of IHL conscious persons so as to increase awareness and interest in academic institutions across the continent.
The two were recognized for their knowledge of international law. They argued against the prosecution for war crimes of a character before a judging panel which consisted of ICRC legal experts in a debate.
Speaking in Nairobi, Raphael Gitau who was also voted as the best speaker by the judging panel noted that the competition was unique since not only did it focus on the competitive element but the jury started off as their teachers.
“We were very glad to win and this has motivated us to believe we can do more with our law degrees outside of private practice,” Gitau noted.
Participants were sponsored to join the competitions after winning national competitions in their respective countries.
The ICRC legal advisor Jemma Arman applauded the participants for their remarkable standards during their presentations.
“The students tactfully debated the legal classification of the situation and principles governing the way that force can lawfully be used in times of conflict In particular we enjoyed robust legal arguments in relation to the principle of proportionality, and also command responsibility,” She stated.
Additionally, the students were rewarded with the Henry Dunant Prize which is worth Ksh 600.000 for good ethics.
