President William Ruto has urged the newly appointed Senior Counsel to use their elevated position to bridge gaps between the bar and the bench, across different arms of government, communities, and religions, reinforcing national unity and the rule of law.
Speaking during the conferment ceremony of 54 advocates to the prestigious rank of Senior Counsel at State House, Nairobi, the President praised their exemplary service, scholarship, and integrity, emphasizing the important role they play in maintaining public confidence in Kenya’s legal system.
President William Ruto addressing the 54 advocates elevated to the rank of Senior Counsel at State House, Nairobi on December 11, 2025. PHOTO/PCS“We gather here this morning to confer the rank of Senior Counsel upon 54 of our distinguished advocates and women whose illustrious service, rigorous scholarship, and impeccable integrity have earned them a place at the very pinnacle of legal excellence. I take this opportunity to congratulate each and every one of you. You stand here today because you are, beyond question, truly meritorious of the distinguished title of Senior Counsel,” President Ruto said.
Among the 54 distinguished advocates conferred include notable figures like Noordin Haji, Moses Wetang'ula, and many women, increasing the total to 120, following a process under the Advocates Act where the President confers the rank based on recommendations by a Committee assessing exemplary legal service, professionalism, and contribution, making this cohort more diverse and younger than past groups, breaking tradition.
The President described the honor as “not only a badge of honor, but also a solemn recognition of merit, responsibility, and trust,” noting that it reflects “the constitutional promise of a nation anchored in the rule of law, protected by rigorous and robust institutions, and guided by a justice system worthy of public confidence.”
He cited Section 17 of the Advocates Act, which empowers the President to confer the rank on advocates who have demonstrated exemplary service, professional mastery, and impeccable integrity.
President Ruto also highlighted the elevated expectations for Senior Counsel under Rule 7 of the conferment rules.
“The Senior Counsel conferment rules set an even higher bar for you, requiring sustained excellence in active practice, distinguished advocacy before the superior courts, dedicated mentorship of younger advocates, faithful service to the Law Society of Kenya, meaningful scholarly contribution, and an impeccable standard of professional conduct across the Commonwealth,” he said.
He lauded the honorees for shaping jurisprudence, mentoring the younger Bar, and serving both the profession and society with devotion.
“With this honor comes an even greater responsibility. You are called to safeguard our democracy, to strengthen our institutions of justice, to support necessary reforms, and to help widen the doors of access to justice,” President Ruto stated, emphasizing that their work “upholds the dignity of this rank and reinforces public trust in our systems of professional recognition.”
The President concluded by urging the Senior Counsel to maintain the highest standards of integrity while fostering unity and collaboration across the legal profession and the wider society.
“As the Chief Justice has said, there is a need for us to build bridges between the bar and the bench, between the different arms of government, and between the different communities and religions. Whatever any of us does, we must keep the greater national interest in mind,” he added.
