In a move recognising exemplary service in the legal
profession, President William Ruto has conferred the rank of Senior Counsel to
a cohort of 54 distinguished advocates of the High Court of Kenya.
The announcement was published in a special issue of The
Kenya Gazette on December 10, 2025.
Under the Advocates Act (Cap. 16), the conferment of the
Senior Counsel rank is reserved for legal professionals who have made
outstanding contributions to law and development in Kenya.
The President, exercising powers granted under Section 17(1)
of the Act, signed the Investiture Order to formalise the recognition.
The list of newly appointed Senior Counsel includes
prominent names such as National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang’ula, Nancy Wakarima
Karigithu, PLO Lumumba, National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin
Haji and Prakades Chepkoech Tororey, among others.
The full list encompasses experienced advocates and legal
scholars from across the country.
“Now henceforth, may it be known by all persons,
authorities, and institutions that the aforementioned Advocates shall have all
the precedence and privileges of the rank and dignity of Senior Counsel,” the
Gazette notice reads.
The conferment elevates the recipients to a position of
prominence within the legal profession, granting them prestige and certain
privileges in court proceedings.
Senior Counsel status in Kenya is analogous to the Queen’s
Counsel designation in commonwealth jurisdictions, symbolising excellence,
professional integrity, and leadership in legal practice.
President Ruto underscored that the conferment recognises
not only technical expertise but also the advocates’ commitment to the rule of
law and development of jurisprudence in Kenya.
Among the honorees are both established practitioners with
decades of service and emerging leaders who have distinguished themselves in
academia and legal reform initiatives.
The gazetted recognition also aims to inspire younger
lawyers to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards.
“In recognition of the exemplary service rendered to the
nation in the legal profession, and in honour of their esteemed contribution to
law and development, I have conferred the rank and dignity of Senior Counsel on
the following advocates,” the notice read.
The newly appointed Senior Counsel are now entitled to all
privileges, rights, and precedence accorded to the rank, including leadership
roles in high-profile legal cases and ceremonial precedence in court and
professional gatherings.
The publication of the list in The Kenya Gazette ensures
transparency and serves as a public record, allowing institutions, legal
bodies, and the wider citizenry to formally acknowledge the elevated status of
these leading members of Kenya’s legal profession.
