President Ruto confers Senior Counsel Rank to 54 Kenyan lawyers

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.