Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga are among 146 advocates who have applied to join the prestigious Senior Counsel Bar.
Also on the list are veteran lawyers Dr John Khaminwa and Gitobu Imanyara, former National Assembly speakers Francis ole Kaparo and Kenneth Marende, retired Court of Appeal judge Philip Waki and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
Others are Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, Harit Sheth, Judith Guserwa, Assa Nyakundi, Kamotho Waiganjo, Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkong’a, former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Ann Amadi, Solicitor-General Shadrack Mose, Dr Kenneth Kiplagat, former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo and Gershom Otachi.
The title of Senior Counsel is conferred on eminent lawyers and is considered the pinnacle of professional achievement. It recognises advocates with distinguished careers, high integrity and an exemplary record of professional conduct.
The honour is comparable to the King’s Counsel title in the British legal system, formerly known as Queen’s Counsel.
Applicants must demonstrate extensive legal experience, a commitment to upholding professional standards and contributions to the development of the legal profession and the wider community.
To qualify, an advocate must have an impeccable reputation and must not have been found guilty of professional misconduct. Applicants must also be of good character.
An applicant must have practised as an advocate of the High Court for more than 15 years or contributed to the development of the legal profession through scholarly writings and presentations.
The latest list is the largest ever. The most senior applicant, Teddy Mudakha Towett Aswani, was admitted to the Bar in 1969, while the youngest was admitted in 2023.
LSK secretary Florence Muturi has invited members of the public to submit comments on the applicants.
“Pursuant to Rule 10 of the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules, 2011, the Committee may consider additional information from applicants or any other person where necessary for the determination of an application,” the notice stated.
Last year, 54 advocates, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and National Intelligence Service Director-General Noordin Haji, were admitted to the Senior Counsel Bar after their names were gazetted by President William Ruto.
Former LSK president and Senior Counsel Allen Waiyaki Gichuhi, however, moved to court to challenge the admission of some of the new members.
A total of 105 advocates had applied for consideration by the Committee on Senior Counsel, which recommended 54 candidates to the Chief Justice for conferment of the title.
Other prominent personalities admitted last year included legal scholar and former Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Prof PLO Lumumba, Court of Appeal judges Ahmed Issack Hassan and Katwa Kigen.
The Senior Counsel Bar was introduced in 2003 and is organised into five cohorts according to members’ dates of admission to the Bar. It currently has 106 members.
The first cohort, comprising the most senior members, includes former Attorney-General and former Busia Senator Amos Wako, Lee Muthoga, retired judge GBM Kariuki, Dr Fred Ojiambo, Paul Muite, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Paul Wamae and Dr Kamau Kuria.
A committee will assess the applications before making recommendations to the President on those who qualify for conferment. The committee also considers applications seeking the removal of members from the Roll of Senior Counsel.
Senior Counsel Philip Murgor, the current chair of the Senior Counsel Bar, said the large number of applicants demonstrated advocates’ confidence in the conferment process.
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