President William Ruto has conferred the distinguished rank of Senior Counsel on 54 Kenyan advocates, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji.
The announcement, published in a special issue of the Kenya Gazette on December 10, 2025, followed the recommendations by the Committee on Senior Counsel, which vetted and proposed qualified candidates for the distinction.
The names were proposed on Thursday, December 4, 2025, by the committee chaired by senior counsel Philip Murgor.
President Ruto said the conferment recognises the advocates' exemplary service to the nation and their contributions to the development of law. He invoked powers under section 17(1) of the Advocates Act to bestow the honour.
This cohort is the most inclusive in Kenya's history, increasing the total number of senior counsels in the country from 66 to 120.
The list included a record of 16 women and prominent individuals from across the country, comprising legal scholars, constitutional experts, and seasoned litigators.
Alongside Wetang'ula and Haji, other notable names include former Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, PLO Lumumba, Gor Mahia chairperson Ambrose Rachier, former LSK President Nelson Havi, and Elisha Ongoya.
The conferment takes effect immediately, with all institutions urged to accord the recognised individuals their deserved respect.
With the title, the advocates gain the precedence, privileges, and recognition associated with Senior Counsel, Kenya's equivalent of the Queen's or King's Counsel in other Commonwealth countries.
This conferment marks a milestone for Kenya's legal fraternity, strengthening the ranks of an elite group shaping the nation's jurisprudence and justice system.
A Senior Counsel is a distinguished advocate who has been conferred the highest professional rank by the President, to recognise their service and commitment to the legal profession.
To qualify for the SC title, an advocate must have at least 15 years of experience, a deep mastery of the law, high professional competence, and an exemplary record of service to the legal profession.
