President William Ruto has conferred the prestigious rank of Senior Counsel on 54 advocates of the High Court of Kenya, including National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Noordin Haji, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Advocate Elisha Ongoya Katwa Kigen, among others.

The move, formalised through a Gazette notice issued on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, recognises their exemplary service to the nation and their significant contributions to the legal profession and national development.

The advocates recognized in this investiture include prominent figures such as Rapinder Singh Sehmi, Paul Ndiritu Ndungu, Clement Muturi Kigano, Eluid Ng’ang’a Njorege, Evans Tiaga Gaturu, Ambrose Otieno Rachier, Richard Omwela, Dr Moses Masika Wetang’ula, Alexandra Kottoh, Nancy Wakarima Karigithu, Moses Kipng’etich Kurgat, Rubeena Dar, 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, Helen Caroline Wangechi Kariuki, among others

The confinement committee

The Gazette notice further declares that, henceforth, all the named advocates shall enjoy the precedence, privileges, and dignity of senior counsel. The investiture order was officially issued under the hand of President Ruto and the Public Seal of the Republic on December 10, 2025.

This comes after the committee, chaired by SC Philip Murgor, announced on Thursday, December 4, 2025, that it had received 105 applications, from which it had considered 54 advocates and recommended them for the conferment of the SC title.

“On 2nd September, 2025, the Committee on Senior Counsel SC Conferment made a call for applications for the conferment of the rank of Senior Counsel pursuant to Rule 5 of the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rule, 2011 Rev. 2017. The Committee received a total of 105 applications,” the statement read in part.

“On 3rd December, 2025, the Committee considered the applications pursuant to Rules 7 and 10 of the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules, 2011 Rev. 2017 and recommended for conferment the following advocates.”

The rank of Senior Counsel is the highest honour in Kenya’s legal profession, equivalent to the Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom. It is awarded to advocates who have demonstrated exceptional skill, integrity, and service in law.