Martha Karua Among 24 Advocates Conferred Rank Of Senior Counsel

President Uhuru Kenyatta has conferred 24 advocates in Kenya the rank of Senior Counsel, among them prominent politicians such as Martha Karua, Otiende Amollo, and Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.

Those conferred the Senior Counsel rank by the Head of State are:

OM Parkash Nagpal

Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka

Martha Wangari Karua

Pravin Kumar Bowry

Fackson Wainaina Kagwe

Charles Waweru Gatonye

Rautta Adhiambo

Fredrick Ngatia

Mohammed Nyaoga

Phillip Murgor

Albert Mumma

Beautah Alukhava Siganga

Kiragu Kimani

Judy Thongori

Taib Ali Taib

Zehrabanu Janmohamed

Wilfred Nderitu

Kioko Kilukumi

Patricia Mande Nyaundi

Abdikadir Hussein Mohamed

Paul Otiende Amollo

JohnMugwimi Chigiti

The rank of Senior Counsel is set out under the Advocates Act. It is conferred in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Senior Counsel, to Advocates of the High Court of Kenya who have “distinguished themselves by rendering exemplary service in the legal and public service.

Senior Counsel is equivalent to the rank of Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth jurisdictions. The position was first introduced in the country in February 2003.

Previously, to qualify as Senior Counsel one was required to have served as chair of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). However, the rules were changed in October 2008 when Okong’o Omogeni was elected as the LSK president.

The Omogeni Regulations, titled Senior Counsel (Conferment and Privileges) Rules, stipulated that LSK chairpersons would no longer routinely qualify for the prestigious title. In the new laws, all lawyers would have to apply for consideration.

After application, a committee comprising the Attorney General, LSK chairman, a Court of Appeal and a High Court judge, three Senior Counsel, and four advocates would vet applicants.

“His Excellency conveys his warmest felicitations to the twenty-four Advocates whose contribution to law and development have secured their place at the apex of their profession and at the highest levels of the national conscience,” read the statement from State House.