Philip Murgor elected new chair of Senior Counsel Bar
By Luke Oluoch, August 13, 2025Lawyer Philip K. Murgor has been elected as the new chairperson of the Senior Counsel Bar (SCB), succeeding Fred Ojiambo, who has since retired.
According to a communique from the outgoing chairperson dated Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Murgor, alongside the new leadership team—Joyce Majiwa as vice-chairperson and Charles Kanjama as secretary—was formally installed during the SCB’s annual retreat in Diani.
The team was endorsed by an overwhelming majority of senior counsel.
New Team
“The SCB is pleased to announce the election into office of a new leadership team, consisting of Philip K. Murgor, SC, as Chairperson, Joyce Majiwa, SC, as Vice-Chairperson, and Charles Kanjama, SC, as Secretary.
The team was successfully nominated and adopted by the consensus of an overwhelming majority of senior counsel. They were then installed at the annual SCB retreat held at the Diamond Leisure Lodge, Diani, on Wednesday, 13th August 2025,” the statement read.
Ojiambo has been at the SCB helm since 2013, when he took the reins from the late Mutula Kilonzo.
LSK challenges new office
Those who served alongside him during his tenure were the late Zahir Malik, the late Ken Fraser, and Omesh Kapila. Upon the demise of Malik and Fraser and the retirement of Kapila, Murgor combined the roles of interim vice-chair and organizing secretary.
While ushering in the new office, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo congratulated the new office. She expressed optimism that they will provide good leadership and champion progressiveness in their respective capacities.
“The Senior Counsel Bar is a pillar of mentorship and the guardian of the highest standards of practice. At a time when we are navigating constitutional challenges and rapid technological change, this leadership could not be more timely.
“I have every confidence that this team will steer the Senior Bar with wisdom, integrity, and vision—strengthening both the profession and the justice it serves,” she said.
The Senior Counsel Bar was established in 2003, with the former Attorney General Amos Wako being the first chairperson.
There are currently 66 SCs in Kenya, according to the Law Society of Kenya.