Martha Karua, Kalonzo Apply to Become Senior Counsels

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Narc-Kenya counterpart Martha Karua are seeking to become Senior Counsels.

The two are among about 60 Kenyan lawyers who have applied to acquire the coveted title, which is given to highly experienced attorneys.

Others seeking to join lawyers’ exclusive club of Senior Counsel are former Mombasa mayor Taib Ali Taib, former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Philip Murgor, Prof.Ben Sihanya, and Nairobi LSK chairman Charles Kanjama.

Others include Political Parties Dispute Tribunal Chairman Kyalo Mbobu, Moi University don Prof. Nixon Sifuna, veteran lawyer John Khaminwa, Katwa Kigen, Donald Kipkorir, Evans Monari, Wilfred Nderitu, and Judy Thongori.

Former LSK president Eric Mutua, Ambrose Rachier, Fred Ngatia, Kioko Kilikumi, Prof. Albert Mumma, and current Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Allen Gichuhi have also applied to be elevated.

Applicants will be vetted by a committee whose members include Attorney General, a Court of Appeal and High Court judge, three Senior Counsel Members and four advocates.

After vetting, the committee recommends the names to the President for conferment. The names are then published in a gazette notice.

Some of the popular Kenyan Senior Counsel members include former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, former Attorney-General Prof. Githu Muigai, Busia Senator Amos Wako, and Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko.

Others are Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, Siaya Senator James Orengo, Prof. Tom Ojienda, Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni, Paul Muite, and Lucy Kambuni.

To qualify for conferment as Senior Counsel, one must have been an advocate of the High Court for over 15 years.

The title is also given to those who have made immense contributions to the development of the legal profession through scholarly writings and presentations.