Close to 100 high-profile lawyers, including Prof Githu Muigai, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, and Martha Karua, could lose their Senior Counsel titles after a court challenge questioned how the honours were awarded.
The petition, filed by Eliud Karanja Matindi at the Nairobi High Court, claims the elevation process ignored public participation and lacked transparency, operating without clear rules.
Among the 97 advocates listed are NIS Director-General Noordin Haji, former LSK Chair Nelson Havi, former DPP Phillip Murgor, Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda, Siaya Governor James Orengo, former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, and IPOA Chair Ahmed Isack Hassan.
At the centre of the dispute is the Committee on Senior Counsel, which recommended many of the lawyers for elevation.
Matindi argues the committee had no authority to act after the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules of 2011 expired on January 24, 2024.
Despite this, the committee called for applications in September 2025, recommended 54 names, and the President approved the list. The Chief Justice subsequently gazetted it in December 2025.
The petition describes the process as opaque and unconstitutional, highlighting the lack of public input, undisclosed selection criteria, and the Attorney-General’s failure to uphold the law.
Matindi is asking the court to declare all conferments null and void and to remove the names from the Roll of Senior Counsel.
If the court sides with the petitioner, the ruling could strip these lawyers of a prestigious title that grants professional recognition, influence, and privileges.
The case is scheduled for hearing on March 9, 2026.
