President William Samoei Ruto with Lawyer Elishia Ongoya during the Conferment of the prestigious title of Senior Counsel to 54 distinguished advocates on December 11, 2025. Photo by PPS 
By Andrew Mbuva
President William Samoei Ruto has conferred the prestigious title of Senior Counsel upon 54 distinguished advocates, calling on them to uphold the highest standards of integrity and to play a central role in strengthening Kenya’s democratic and justice institutions.
Speaking during the conferment ceremony at State House, Nairobi, the President described the new Senior Counsel as men and women whose “illustrious service, rigorous scholarship, and impeccable integrity” have cemented their place at the apex of Kenya’s legal profession.
President Ruto underscored that the honour is not merely ceremonial but a solemn national recognition anchored in the Advocates Act, which empowers the Head of State to elevate advocates who have demonstrated exemplary service and professional mastery.
He emphasized that the recipients had undergone strict scrutiny under the Senior Counsel Conferment Rules, which demand excellence in advocacy, mentorship, service to the Law Society of Kenya, scholarly contribution, and unassailable ethical conduct.
The President noted that across the Commonwealth, the rank of Senior Counsel symbolizes the pinnacle of legal craftsmanship and public trust—standards that Kenya continues to uphold. “Only the most deserving are called to this honour,” he said, affirming that the 54 lawyers had shaped jurisprudence, contributed significantly to legal scholarship, and served society with dedication.
While congratulating the newly inducted Senior Counsel, Dr. Ruto challenged them to take up an expanded responsibility: safeguarding Kenya’s democracy, supporting reforms within the justice system, and promoting broad access to justice for all citizens.
He also commended the Committee on Senior Counsel for what he described as a rigorous, transparent, and principled vetting process that upholds the dignity of the title and reinforces public confidence in professional institutions.
The ceremony marks one of the largest conferments in Kenya’s recent legal history, further positioning the legal fraternity as a critical pillar in the country’s governance and reform agenda.
