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.