City lawyer Nelson Havi has protested exclusion of veteran lawyer Dr John Khaminwa from the proposed list of persons to be Senior Counsels.
Law Society of Kenya has published 24 names of lawyers who are set to be elevated to the class of elite lawyers, usually called Senior Counsels.
Among those whose names have been sent to Chief Justice David Maraga for promotion are former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua.
"The list of nominees for appointment of Senior Counsel has several deserving Advocates. But tell me, why on earth would Dr John Khaminwa not qualify for appointments? protested Mr Havi.
Dr Khaminwa, one of the oldest lawyers in Kenya, is an alumni of the Alliance High Court and University of Nairobi. He has offered several pro bono services including helping estranged lawyer Miguna Miguna.
Last week, Khaminwa won a case in which politicians Junet Mohamed, Aisha Jumwa, Timothy Bosire and Florence Mutua were accused of incitement.
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.
Dr Khaminwa is among 66 people whose applications were rejected. Some of renowned Senior Counsels include James Orengo, Okong'o Mogeni, Amos Wako and Githu Muigai.