Senior Counsel Philip Murgor with Dr Fred Ojiambo after his election as the chairman of Senior Counsel Bar at the Diamond Leisure Lodge, Diani, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.The Senior Counsel Bar (SCB) has elected former DPP Philip Murgor as its new chairperson, succeeding Fred Ojiambo, who has retired after more than a decade at the helm.
In a press statement on Wednesday, the SCB announced that Murgor will be deputised by Joyce Majiwa as vice chairperson, while Charles Kanjama will serve as secretary.
The new leadership team was nominated and endorsed by an overwhelming majority of Senior Counsel before being formally installed during the SCB’s annual retreat at the Diamond Leisure Lodge in Diani.
Murgor takes over from Ojiambo, who assumed the role in 2013 following the death of Mutula Kilonzo.
Ojiambo’s leadership team initially included the late Zahir Malik, the late Ken Fraser, and Omesh Kapila.
After the deaths of Malik and Fraser, and the retirement of Kapila, Murgor stepped in to serve as both interim vice chair and organising secretary, a role he is credited with handling “with indefatigable zeal and dedication,” according to the SCB statement.
Lucy Muthoni Kambuni later held the position of secretary until her retirement, when Kanjama was appointed to the role.
The SCB, established in 2003, was first chaired by former Attorney General Amos Wako.
Murgor boasts of work experience spanning a period of over 30 years in the legal profession as state counsel, private practitioner and as a former Director of Public Prosecutions.
He was conferred with the esteemed rank of Senior Counsel in 2021 in recognition of his exemplary work and contributions to the legal profession.
Born on July 4, 1961, Murgor is recognised for his expertise in commercial arbitration and litigation, acting as lead counsel in numerous complex multi-billion-shilling briefs.
He graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1985 with Honours Law Degree.
The following year he obtained his Post Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law after completing his pupilage at the firm of Dentons Hamilton Harrison and Mathews.
Upon admission as an Advocate in 1986, he declined to seek employment in private law firms in favour of an appointment as a Public Prosecutor in the State Law Office.
He resigned from the public service in 1992 and teamed up with his wife Agnes to manage Murgor & Murgor Advocates.
