Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda has hailed the new bench of lawyers conferred with the senior counsel ranks, a preeminent rank bestowed to members of the legal profession in Kenya.

In a statement on his X page on Friday, December 12, 2025, Ojienda lauded advocates for their well-deserved admission to the new rank.

“Congratulations on this prestigious recognition of your excellence in the profession. “@HonWetangula, @NelsonHavi, @etadv, and @JamesOduol,” part of his statement read.

Collaboration

While lauding their recognition of their excellence in the profession, Ojienda called on more collaboration and principled engagement to better the legal field.

“Yesterday, I was honoured to join the President and members of the Judiciary in welcoming the new Senior Counsel on their well-deserved admission, a preeminent rank in the profession. True leadership and progress demand collaboration, mutual respect, and principled engagement among key stakeholders. This is how we strengthen our institutions, advance justice, and secure the collective development of our nation,” he added.

New Senior counsels Challenged

His remarks come after William Ruto conferred the prestigious rank on 54 advocates of the High Court of Kenya, including National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Noordin Haji, Speaker Wetang’ula, and Advocate Elisha Ongoya.

The event was formalised through a Gazette notice issued on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

Other prominent figures who also earned the rank included Rapinder Singh Sehmi, Paul Ndiritu Ndungu, Clement Muturi Kigano, Eluid Ng’ang’a Njorege, Evans Tiaga Gaturu, Ambrose Otieno Rachier, Richard Omwela, Moses Masika Wetang’ula, Alexandra Kottoh, Nancy Wakarima Karigithu, Moses Kipng’etich Kurgat, and Rubeena Dar.

The list also had Professor Kivutha Kibwana, Lumumba Wafulengo Muchai, Njorege Regeru, Professor Patrick Loka Otieno Lumumba, Anastacia Kioko Muulu, James Ochieng’ Odulo, Jane Njeri Onyango, Christine Anyango Agimba, Hillary Chacha Odera, and Helen Caroline Wangechi Kariuki.

During the ceremony, Ruto stated that the title represents “not only a badge of honour but also a solemn recognition of merit, responsibility, and trust.” He reminded the recipients that their elevation reflected Kenya’s commitment to integrity in legal practice.

“We gather here this morning to confer the rank of Senior Counsel upon 54 of our distinguished advocates, men and women whose illustrious service, rigorous scholarship, and impeccable integrity have earned them a place at the very pinnacle of legal excellence,” he said on Thursday, December 11, 2025.