Philip Kipchirchir Murgor is one of the most established lawyers in Kenya, and arguably among the most experienced legal minds currently before the Supreme Court in the ongoing Presidential election petition.
The 61-year-old Senior Counsel is recognized for his knowledge in commercial arbitration and has been acting as lead counsel in numerous state and private complex cases.
In his enviable career profile, he carries himself as straight forward man - a character he says he developed since 1982 after spending six months in prison. He was detained by the the late former President Daniel arap Moi government over an attempted coup and stayed in police cells for six months.
Goldenberg Scandal
After the government dropped charges against him and in 1986, he took a position as State Counsel in the Public Prosecutions Department, where he was posted to the Kisumu.
Despite the arrest and detention by Moi regime, he was appointed to the legal team that successfully defended the late Head of State in election petitions filed challenging his victory in 1992.
Three years later, the government appointed him again to investigate the Goldenberg scandal against the businessman Kamlesh Pattni in a bid to recover the billions lost in the scam.
DPP
The late President Mwai Kibaki appointed Murgor to the position of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in 2003. He was tasked with reforming the office which was seen as ineffective.
ICC Accreditation
Among top of his achievements is when was accredited to practice at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Other lawyers accredited to practice at ICC are former attorneys general Amos Wako and Prof Githu Muigai, Kangema MP Muturi Kigano, Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto, National Lands Commission (NLC) chair Gerishom Otachi, Senior Counsel George Oraro, lawyers Kioko Kilukumi, Katwa Kigen and Evans Monari.
Tob Cohen Murder
Murgor is defending Sarah Wairimu, the wife of slain Italian businessman Tob Cohen.
Wairimu was arrested for allegedly killing her husband. She spent 44 days in remand in a case which Murgor, successfully secured her a cash bail of Ksh.2 million.
"I am not applying for bail. We are arguing about the rights of Sarah. She has been in court for over 30 days. They should be mindful that she has been denied her liberty for 30 days," Murgor argued.
CBC Case
In September 2021, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha appointed Murgor to represent him in the case contesting the implementation of the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).
“Take notice that Professor George Albert Omore Magoha, the Respondent herein, has today appointed the firm of M/s Murgor & Murgor Advocates, to act on his behalf in this matter. Take further notice that henceforth all future correspondence and court process shall be served upon the said firm,” read the notice.
2022 Presidential Election Petition
He was conferred a Senior Counsel in recognition of his exemplary work and contributions to the legal profession in 2021.
He is among senior lawyers who are representing Azimio coalition leader Raila Odinga in a presidential election petition at the Supreme Court, heading the IT department.
Murgor graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1985 where he obtained his Honours Law Degree, before pursuing his Post Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law (KSL) in 1986. He also holds a Masters of Laws in International Trade and Investment Law.
