About Us

Our Mission

To promote sustainable legal reforms in Kenya that strengthen a more effective justice system grounded in human rights and dignity.

Our Vision

To foster the willingness and ability of formerly incarcerated persons to lead law-abiding and self-supporting lives.

Our Commitment

We work with dignity, fairness, accountability, and long-term commitment to the people and communities we serve.

ABOUT CELSIR

Justice, dignity, and second chances at the center of our work.

CELSIR is a social enterprise organization focused on free legal support for indigent persons and victims of human rights violations, alongside rehabilitation and reintegration support for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated persons.

Our team of legal practitioners, paralegals, social workers, and volunteers works across legal aid, psychosocial support, sentence review, and reintegration pathways so justice becomes practical, humane, and sustained.

We also contribute to justice reform through advocacy, public education, research, and partnerships that strengthen dignity-centered policy and practice.

Talk to our team about legal support, partnerships, or program collaboration.

+254 720 579 513 Or Contact Us

Anne Munyua

Founder & Executive Director

why the work matters

Why CELSIR takes a rights-based approach

CELSIR works where legal aid, rehabilitation, and reintegration meet. We focus on practical justice outcomes for people who would otherwise face the system alone, and we help translate rights into support, accountability, and real second chances.

Rights Awareness

85%

Rehabilitation Support

78%

Legal Aid Delivery

95%

Community Trust

99%

Human-centered support

We center dignity, trust, and practical support for people navigating the justice system and preparing for life beyond custody.

Justice reform in practice

Our legal, paralegal, psychosocial, and reintegration work connects rights advocacy with day-to-day support that people can actually use.

Partnerships that extend impact

We work with prisons, communities, institutions, and supporters to expand access to justice, rehabilitation, and dignified reintegration.

leadership and team

Meet the people behind CELSIR

Our board, leadership, and program team guide legal support, rehabilitation, reintegration, research, communications, and partnerships across CELSIR’s justice work.

Anne Munyua

Founder & Executive Director

Founder and Executive Director leading CELSIR’s legal support and rehabilitation mission. Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over 10 years in human rights advocacy and strategic criminal litigation.

Oscar Oduor

Member & Legal Support Affairs Coordinator (LeSAC)

Board member and Legal Support Affairs Coordinator (LeSAC). Founder of OMG Attorneys at Law with over 8 years of experience in criminal litigation and capital defence.

Maureen Nyakoa

Member & Campaign and Mobilization

Board member leading Campaign and Mobilization at CELSIR. Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and certified mediator focused on criminal law, human rights, and humane sentencing reform.

Joke Aladesanmi

Member

Board member and Nigerian criminal defence attorney with over 10 years of experience. Cornell University Centre on Death Penalty Makwanyane Institute Fellow (2018).

Sharon Wangare

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer and economist with training in finance, accounting, procurement, and data science. CPA-K professional supporting policy-minded financial stewardship at CELSIR.

Ivy Ndindi

Strategy & Innovations Director

Strategy and Innovations Director with a background in law, photography, and research. She helps shape relevant, accurate, and inspiring solutions for CELSIR.

Abraham Manwa

Information Technology Director

Information Technology Director with an engineering background and 10 years of entrepreneurial IT experience. He leads digital systems, technical support, and technology-enabled service delivery.

Isaac Kariuki

Research, Editorial and Publications Director

Research, Editorial and Publications Director with a background in computer science. He helps turn the lived experiences of beneficiaries into human-centered stories, research, and public understanding.

Mercy Kimetto

Public Relations, Brand & Communications Strategy Director

Public Relations, Brand and Communications Strategy Director with a background in Creative Arts, Film and Media Studies. She leads communications, brand delivery, social media, and public engagement.

James Meli

Religious Services, Mediation, Counselling and Wellness

Director for Religious Services, Mediation, Counselling and Wellness. Accomplished mediator, counselor, climate change activist, and registered counselor supporting mental wellness and reintegration.

Annette Cheruto

Programs and Operations Director

Programs and Operations Director and Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She brings experience in arbitration, project administration, donor-funded programs, and justice-oriented service delivery.

Josephine Kanini

Social Economic Opportunities Director

Social Economic Opportunities Director and inventive business leader. She explores practical ways to help formerly incarcerated persons build stable livelihoods after incarceration.

what guides our work

Our Core Values

These principles guide how CELSIR pursues justice, rehabilitation, accountability, and long-term social reintegration.

Excellence

Excellence is our pursuit.

Human Rights for All

Although incarcerated, prisoners are human beings. We believe in a just, peaceful, and equitable society grounded in international humanitarian law and human rights conventions.

Openness

We are open and accountable to the people and partners we serve, transparently sharing our results, stories, and lessons. Integrity and open justice sit at the core of our work.

Empowerment

We empower our beneficiaries to take charge of their lives irrespective of circumstance, and we equip our team to deliver the change we seek through focused programs and services.

Innovation

We are committed to providing innovative, impactful, and transformative programs, services, and activities.

Data-Driven Methodology

CELSIR tracks its impact over time and communicates clearly how its services, programs, and activities affect beneficiaries and the wider justice ecosystem.

partnerships and trust

Partners and supporters who strengthen this work

" CELSIR combines legal support and rehabilitation in a way that treats people with dignity and gives families real hope. "

Kourtney Holland

Family Law Service

“ Their work shows that access to justice must extend beyond courtrooms to counseling, reintegration, and public education. I'm so happy with the team at CELSIR The entire staff is so welcoming, professional and are all outstanding advocates. I’m especially grateful for my handling attorney, the CELSIR team.”

Karla Clinton

Business Law Service

“ Im so happy with the team at CELSIR The entire staff is so welcoming, professional and are all outstanding advocates. I’m especially grateful for my handling attorney, the CELSIR team. Since day one he provided positive, hopeful yet realistic assurances, regarding my case. ”

Program Supporter

Family Law Service