Wetang’ula, Noordin Haji, Among 105 Seeking to Join Senior Counsel Bar [FULL LIST]

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has published the full list of 105 prominent lawyers who have applied to be conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Counsel (SC). The list features influential public figures, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji, and former Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, among others.

This follows a public call by LSK inviting qualified members to submit their applications for consideration under the 2025 cycle of conferment. In an official notice dated September 2, the society’s President, Faith Odhiambo, and CEO, Florence Muturi, emphasized that the conferment process is governed by the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules, 2011.

“Pursuant to Rule 5 of the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules, 2011, the Committee on Senior Counsel hereby invites members of the Society with the requisite qualifications and interest in the conferment of the rank of Senior Counsel to submit applications for consideration,” read part of the notice.

Following the opening of applications, LSK published the full list of applicants and called for public feedback on the suitability of the candidates.

“In light of the foregoing, this is therefore to call for comments from members on the provided list of applicants. Kindly provide us with your feedback to reach us on or before 16th October 2025,” said LSK CEO Florence Muturi in a notice dated October 8, 2025.

105 advocates seek to join the Senior Counsel Bar

Leading the list are Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and NIS Director General Noordin Haji.  Also in contention is Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, a seasoned lawyer, academic, and former Governor of Makueni County, who now serves as the head of Daystar University Law School. Charles Dulo, Kenya’s current Ombudsman, has also submitted his application.

Renowned legal scholar and anti-corruption crusader Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba is also among the applicants, as is Ambrose Dickson Otieno Rachier, a prominent lawyer and long-serving chairman of Gor Mahia Football Club.

The list also features former LSK Presidents — Eric Theuri, Isaac Okero, and Nelson Havi — all of whom have previously led the country’s top bar association. Also applying is Aggrey Mwamu, the former President of the East African Law Society, as well as Thomas Letangule, a former commissioner with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Other prominent names include Prof. Musili Wambua, Chancellor of Embu University, and Gershom Otachi, the outgoing Chairman of the National Land Commission. The Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), Claris Awuor Oganga, and Ahmed Issack Hassan, Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), are also among the applicants.

Also Read: List of Senior Counsels in Kenya, Qualifications & Privileges They Enjoy

Also in the race are Adil Khawaja, Chairman of the Safaricom Board, and Charles Nyachae, Chairman of the Kenya School of Government (KSG) Board. Omwanza Ombati, a serving member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), has also applied for the title.

Other notable applicants include senior lawyers Katwa Kigen, Chacha Odera, Koki Muli, Immaculate Kassait (Data Commissioner), Prof. Ben Sihanya (University of Nairobi), Nancy Karigithu (former Principal Secretary for Maritime Affairs), and Kennedy Ogeto, the former Solicitor General.

Other prominent names in the list include Donald Kipkorir, Eric Gumbo, Mercy Wambua (former CEO of LSK), Dr. Mercy Deche (former JSC Commissioner), Dr. Elisha Ongoya (Dean, Kabarak University Law School), Dr. John Simba, former MP Muturi Kigano, Dr. Ken Nyaundi, Ahmed Sheikh Adan, and David Waihiga Mwaure, a former presidential aspirant.

Privileges

The Senior Counsel designation represents the highest professional honor an advocate can attain in Kenya. This elite status comes with a range of privileges designed to recognize excellence, leadership, and long-standing contribution to the legal profession.

Among the key benefits of being conferred Senior Counsel are precedence in court, meaning SCs have their matters heard first before judges. They also enjoy the exclusive right to sit within the Bar — the front bench of the courtroom reserved for the most senior advocates.

Also Read: Faith Odhiambo Resigns from Victims Compensation Panel

Furthermore, SCs are widely acknowledged as legal authorities and mentors, and their opinions often carry significant weight within legal, academic, and judicial circles.

Oversight and Selection Committee

The process of selecting those to be conferred the SC title is overseen by the Committee on Senior Counsel Conferment, a 10-member panel with representation from various arms of the legal fraternity.

The committee comprises one Supreme Court judge nominated by the Chief Justice, one Court of Appeal judge selected by fellow judges, one High Court judge nominated by the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association (KMJA), the Attorney General, and the LSK President.

Also among the committee are three sitting Senior Counsel and two advocates, not holding the SC title, but with at least 10 years of legal practice, elected by LSK members

This structure ensures a balanced and fair evaluation of candidates based on merit, professional conduct, and contributions to the legal field.

The 2025 conferment cycle is being steered by a new leadership team at the helm of the Senior Counsel Bar. In August 2025, Philip Murgor was elected as the new Chairperson, succeeding Dr. Fred Ojiambo. He is supported by Joyce Majiwa, who serves as the Vice Chairperson, and Charles Kanjama, who was elected as the Secretary.

The committee will make its final recommendations to the President, who will officially confer the title upon the selected advocates.

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