NAIROBI, Kenya— Prominent lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi is once again at the center of legal controversy, this time facing a petition that seeks to strip him of his Senior Counsel title over alleged misconduct.
Filed by lawyers Paul Kiragu Wathuta and John Murimi Njomo, the petition accuses Ahmednasir of persistent attacks on the judiciary, particularly through social media.
The petition, submitted to the Committee on Senior Counsel, cites Rule 4(c) and Rule 15 of the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules, 2011.
Lawyers Paul Kiragu and John Njomo petition LSK to strike out Ahmednasir Abdullahi as Senior Counsel, citing his continued attacks on the Judiciary.
According to the complainants, Ahmednasir has engaged in a pattern of unsubstantiated accusations, alleging judicial corruption, tribal bias, and misconduct without providing formal evidence.
“Ahmednasir has become a master of fickle attacks on the judiciary without providing evidence of any misdoings,” the petition states.
Social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), has been a key battleground.
The petitioners argue that Ahmednasir has used the platform to discredit judges and undermine public confidence in the courts.
Despite repeated warnings, they claim he has only doubled down on his attacks, eroding trust in the legal system.
Ahmednasir’s tensions with the judiciary are nothing new. In January 2023, the Supreme Court of Kenya banned him from appearing before it, citing “consistently distasteful remarks” about the court and its judges.
In a strongly-worded letter, Registrar L.M. Wachira made it clear: “It defeats purpose for Grand Mullah [Ahmednasir] to appear before the very institution and individuals that he constantly berates.”
The ban wasn’t just personal—it extended to employees of his law firm, barring them from filing cases in the Supreme Court.
The restrictions remain in effect, with the court reaffirming its stance just last week when it declined to hear a case filed by Ahmednasir’s firm.
The Senior Counsel title is a prestigious rank in Kenya’s legal profession, conferred by the Head of State after a rigorous vetting process.
The privileges include wearing robes similar to Court of Appeal judges, priority in court proceedings, and sitting in front-row seats during hearings.
But the petitioners argue that such privileges should be reserved for those who uphold professionalism and integrity—not those who, in their view, engage in reckless attacks.
“The rank would lose meaning if Ahmednasir could remain a Senior Counsel despite his distinct lack of manners,” the petition concludes.
The Committee on Senior Counsel will now decide whether Ahmednasir keeps his title or joins the list of legal professionals who have fallen from grace.
Given the Supreme Court’s firm stance against him, this could be one of the most consequential legal battles of his career.
