NAIROBI, Kenya — The corps of Kenya’s elite lawyers is poised for expansion after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Committee on Senior Counsel recommended 54 advocates — including Noordin Haji, Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and Moses Wetang’ula, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya — for conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Counsel (SC).
The list, unveiled Thursday by the committee’s chairperson Philip Murgor, includes celebrated advocates such as Rapinder Singh Sehmi, Paul Ndiritu Ndungu, Clement Muturi Kigano, and several other prominent members of the bar.
The SC rank — akin to the United Kingdom’s Queen’s Counsel — recognises advocates who have demonstrated exceptional mastery of the law, outstanding professional service, integrity, and contributions to Kenya’s jurisprudence.
To qualify, a candidate must have practised for at least 15 years, shown moral standing, handled substantial cases in superior courts, and often contributed through mentorship, scholarship, or public-service roles.
The conferment process begins when eligible advocates apply via LSK, after which the Committee on Senior Counsel rigorously vets candidates’ competence, character, and professional conduct.
The Committee then submits its recommendations to the Chief Justice, who forwards the final list to the President for formal conferment.
Once approved, new Senior Counsel are entered into the official Roll of Senior Counsel and entitled to certain privileges — including court precedence (except before some constitutional offices) and the right to wear traditional Senior Counsel attire (“take silk”).
The expansion of the Senior Counsel fraternity underscores a broader effort to strengthen Kenya’s legal profession by formally recognising lawyers who combine experience with impeccable ethical standards.
