President Ruto confers Senior Counsel rank on 54 top Kenyan lawyers

President William Ruto leads the 12th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit at State House, Nairobi, on December 10, 2025. (Photo: PCS)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Wednesday, December 10, 2025

President William Ruto has conferred the Senior Counsel rank on 54 Kenyan lawyers via a special Gazette Notice, recognising their exceptional service and contributions to the country’s legal development.

President William Ruto has awarded the rank of Senior Counsel to 54 distinguished Kenyan lawyers, recognising their outstanding service to the legal profession and the development of law in the country.

The appointments were published in a special Gazette Notice on December 10, 2025, signalling the highest honour in Kenya’s legal fraternity.

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Among those elevated are National Intelligence Service Director-General Noordin Haji, former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Issack Hassan, constitutional lawyer Koki Muli, Solicitor-General Kennedy Ogeto, and former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, environmental law expert Prof Kariuki Muigua, constitutional scholar Dr Muthomi Thiankolu, and former IEBC legal director Praxedes Chepkoech Tororey also feature on the list.

“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.

Other notable inductees include former LSK President Isaac Okero, commercial lawyer Adil Khawaja, Data Protection Commissioner Immaculate Kassait, and leading litigators such as James Ochieng’ Oduol, Njoroge Regeru, Rose Waithera Njoroge, Jedidah Wakonyo Waruhiu, Michi Kirimi Kanyiri, Mohammed Salim Balala, Paul Lilan, and Ahmed Issack Hassan.

The selections were made by a ten-member committee chaired by Philip Murgor.

It included Senior Counsel representatives Joyce Majiwa and Ahmednasir Abdullahi, Attorney-General’s representative Dorcas Oduor, LSK President Faith Odhiambo, Supreme Court representative Justice William Ouko, Court of Appeal representative Justice Gatembu Kairu, High Court representative Justice Nduma Mathews Nderi, and LSK representatives Chrispine Maondo and Wanjiru Ngige.

Senior Counsel status, similar to the Queen’s Counsel designation in Commonwealth countries, is reserved for advocates who have shown exceptional skill, leadership, and contribution to Kenya’s legal development.

President Ruto highlighted that the recognition honours both technical expertise and commitment to the rule of law.

“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 reads.

The newly appointed Senior Counsel will enjoy all privileges and precedence accorded to the rank, including leadership roles in major legal cases and ceremonial recognition in courts and professional gatherings.

The formal ceremony to admit them into the roll of Senior Counsel will be announced in due course.