Bridging the Educational Divide in Kenya: Social Justice in Education for Sustainable Development

Authors

  • Darryl Isabel Kabarak University School of Law
  • Johny Kitheka Strathmore Law School

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66563/gtzz2x76

Abstract

Sustainable development is a developmental approach that involves meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the chances of future generations to meet their own. The idea of sustainable development has often been criticized for being nondescript, yet it is a hallmark of various discussions on social justice. Social justice, on the other hand, is a state of equity in relation to resources, participation, diversity, and enjoyment of human rights. Consequently, the mutual dependence between the right to education and social justice creates significant groundwork for sustainable development and unveiling an equitable and thriving society. This is because education is both a means and an end to sustainable development. Achieving social justice within the right to education thus requires addressing disparities in education most of which are occasioned by corruption. This paper will analyse the notion of sustainable development and the nexus between sustainable development and education. It will then shed light on the embezzlement of resources as a manifestation of corruption in education and substantiate recommendations to promote social justice. Ultimately, this work seeks to prove that social justice in education is not only an objective of sustainable development but also a key component of achieving it. The methodology employed in this paper involves a comprehensive review of existing literature to substantiate the analysis and recommendations. This review will provide a robust foundation for understanding the interplay between education, social justice, and sustainable development, and offer evidence-based insights into addressing corruption and promoting equity in education.

Author Biographies

  • Darryl Isabel, Kabarak University School of Law

    Darryl Isabel is an LLB finalist at Kabarak University School of Law, a researcher, and certified
    Private Mediator and Conciliator with a strong interest in environmental law, climate change
    advocacy, sustainable development, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). She is a published
    author, with her work featured in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CiArb) Journal, reflecting
    her growing contribution to international legal scholarship and climate-related dispute resolution.
    Darryl recently presented a paper on the safety of hydrogen as a marine fuel at the CIL Clima
    Conference 2025 and participated in the XVI Interdisciplinary Seminar on Climate, Energy, and
    Sustainability hosted by the University of Copenhagen, contributing to global dialogue on law,
    technology, and environmental resilience. Through her research, Darryl seeks to shape legal
    systems that are inclusive, adaptive, and responsive to emerging global challenges.

    Contact: darrylisabel106@gmail.com

  • Johny Kitheka, Strathmore Law School

    Johny Kitheka is a Graduate Assistant at Strathmore Law School with a keen interest in the field
    of Data Privacy. Johny is also an Expert Volunteer with Privacy Hub Africa, where he contributes
    to advancing data protection awareness and policy discourse across the continent. His research
    portfolio includes publication with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CiArb). Beyond this,
    Johny is a freelance researcher with a growing portfolio in AI governance and policy, having
    recently served as a Research Assistant at the 2025 AI Safety Camp. His interests span Artificial
    Intelligence, International Criminal Law (ICL), Public International Law (PIL), Digital Trade,
    Capital Markets, Sustainable Development, and Energy Law. Feel free to reach out via email at
    kithekajohny@gmail.com

References

Published

2025-11-03

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 3 (2023): RESEARCH FAIR 2023: ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Section

Articles

License

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