A total of 105 lawyers have applied to join the club of privileged advocates by being conferred the rank of Senior Counsel (SC) by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
LSK says pursuant to the notice issued, the society is required to publish all the names of applicants and invite public comments.
Rule 10 of the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privilege) Rules, 2011 provides that the Committee shall consider the applications and may request additional information from the applicant or any other person it considers necessary for the determination of an application.
“In light of the foregoing, this is therefore to call for comments from members on the provided list of applicants. Kindly provide us your feedback to reach us on or before 16th October 2025,” reads part of the notice by LSK CEO Florence Muturi dated 8th October 2025.
Among those eyeing the prestigious club are National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji, Ombudsman Charles Dulo, Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba, former Makueni Governor and current Daystar University Law School head Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, former Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, former LSK Presidents Eric Theuri, Isaac Okero, and Nelson Havi, former East African Law Society President Aggrey Mwamu, former IEBC Commissioner Thomas Letangule, and Embu University Chancellor Prof. Wambua Musili.
Others include outgoing National Land Commission Chairman Gershom Otachi, KNCHR Chairperson Claris Awuor Oganga, IPOA Chairman Issack Hassan, Safaricom Board Chairman Adil Khawaja, Kenya School of Government (KSG) Board Chairman Charles Nyachae, Judicial Service Commission (JSC) member Omwanza Ombati, Koki Muli, Chacha Odera, Katwa Kigen, Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait, University of Nairobi law lecturer Prof. Ben Sihanya, former Maritime Affairs PS Nancy Karigithu, and former Solicitor General Ken Ogeto.
The applicants also include Donald Kipkorir, Kabarak University Dean Elisha Ongoya, Bamburi Cement and Sanlam Kenya PLC Board Chairman John Simba, former MP Muturi Kigano, Dr. Ken Nyaundi, former LSK CEO Mercy Wambua, former JSC Commissioner Dr. Mercy Deche, former Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Richard Omwela, Ahmed Sheikh Adan, Laptrust CEO Hosea Kili, Richard Bush Onsongo, former presidential aspirant David Mwaure, and Eric Gumbo.
According to the law, Senior Counsel enjoy several privileges, including precedence in having their matters mentioned first when appearing in court or before a tribunal.
They also have the exclusive right to sit within the Bar in all courts where there is a Bar separating the area for Senior Counsel from the general area of the court, or in other courts, to sit on the front bench.
The current Chairperson of the Senior Counsel Bar in Kenya is Philip Murgor, who was elected in August 2025 and succeeded Dr. Fred Ojiambo.
Murgor’s leadership team includes Joyce Majiwa as Vice-Chairperson and Charles Kanjama as Secretary.
SC Charles Kanjama said the exercise was overdue, noting that the last review was conducted in 2020 and clarifying that the Committee does not have a statutory limit on the number of advocates it can recommend for conferment.
“Technically, this should be done annually, but it hasn’t happened since 2020 or 2022 when the exercise was never completed. As to how many can be conferred, it’s up to the Committee. There is no statutory limit,” he said.
A committee of ten is tasked with nominating successful candidates and making recommendations to the President for the conferment of the Senior Counsel rank.
The committee includes a Supreme Court judge nominated by the Chief Justice, a Court of Appeal judge nominated by colleagues, a High Court judge nominated by the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association, the Attorney General, the LSK President, three Senior Counsel members, and two advocates (who are not Senior Counsel but have at least ten years of practice) elected by LSK members.
