Chief Justice David Maraga is set to unveil a new set of Senior Counsels after seven years of waiting, with Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua being on the list.
Mr Musyoka, a former Vice President and Karua, who served as Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, are among 24 lawyers who made it to the list.
At least 90 people applied to the Seniors Counsel committee for elevation. The new development means that over 60 applicants will have to wait for the next application.
Other prominent names on the list are Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Dorcas Oduor, renowned family lawyer Judy Thongori, the former chief executive of the defunct Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) Patricia Nyaundi, Kioko Kilikumi, renowned arbitrator John Ohaga and former Director of Public Prosecutions Philip Murgor.
Also on the list are Rautta Athiambo, who was recently inducted into the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Roll of Honour, veteran lawyer Fred Ngatia, Wilfred Nderitu, who is remembered for having represented victims at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the case against Deputy President William Ruto, Prof Albert Mumma, Pravin Bowry, the former Assistant Director (Legal Services) of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACCA), and John Chigiti, among others.
“The committee at its meeting held on August 26, 2019 considered your application. We are pleased to inform you that your application was successful,” part of the letter sent to the successful applicants reads.
Some of the big names who have missed out are LSK president Allen Gichuhi, former LSK president Eric Mutua, former East Africa Law Society president James Mwamu and Prof Ben Sihanya, among others.
Mr Gichuhi’s omission had everything to do with his being a member of the selection committee.
Members of the Senior Counsel Committee are Justice Mohamed Ibrahim, representing the Supreme Court, Justice Martha Koome, representing the Court of Appeal, Justice Jacqueline Kamau, representing the High Court, three representatives of senior counsels, namely Omesh Kapila, Patricia Kameri-Mbote and Lucy Kambuni, three representatives of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), namely Lillian Renee-Omondi, Nicholus Bichanga and LSK president Allen Gichuhi, and the Attorney General Paul Kihara.
Karua also served as a Magistrate in 90s before joining politics. She served as MP for Gichugu constituency for over 20 years. Kalonzo also served as VP and minister for many years.
Some of the lawyers in the status of Senior Counsel include Siaya Senator James Orengo, former Attorney General Githu Muigai, Nyamira Senator Okong'o Mogeni, Busia Senator Amos Wako among others.
Currently, there are 24 Senior Counsels with the last having been elevated seven years ago. The additional of the current batch will take the grand total to 48 lawyers in the elite club.