Other notable applicants include prominent litigators Donald Kipkorir, Danstan Omari, Julie Soweto, ex-DCJ Nancy Baraza, and ex-LSK president Faith Odhiambo

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki alongside Senate Speaker Amason Kingi/DPCS

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi and Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata are among 146 lawyers who have applied for conferment of the rank of Senior Counsel in the 2026 process.

The list published by the Law Society of Kenya also includes veteran lawyer Dr John Khaminwa, former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende, former Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara, constitutional lawyer Ekuru Aukot and Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Mulele Ingonga.

Former National Assembly Clerk Samuel K. Chepkong'a, former Senate Speaker Shadrack Mose, former presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot and former National Assembly Speaker Marende are also seeking the prestigious designation.

The list further features several lawyers who regularly appear in high-profile litigation, including Daniel Ngumy, Catherine Musakali, Kennedy Nyaundi, Parash Vinod Shah and members of the Anjarwalla legal fraternity.

The 146 applicants are now subject to oversight under the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules, 2011.

The application list does not mean that the lawyers have been awarded the rank.

Under Section 17 of the Advocates Act, the President may confer the rank and dignity of Senior Counsel on a person of irreproachable professional conduct who has rendered exemplary service to the legal and public service in Kenya.

The law requires an applicant to have been an advocate of the High Court for at least 15 years, among other requirements.

The rules set out additional criteria, including active legal practice, training other members of the profession, possession of a valid practising certificate and absence of a finding of professional misconduct.

An applicant must also demonstrate sound knowledge of law and professional competence, have argued a substantive matter before a superior, regional or international court, and demonstrate integrity and good character.

Applicants are also required to have actively served the Law Society or another recognised bar association, or undertaken community service, and to have contributed to the development of the legal profession through scholarly writings and presentations.

The process is handled initially by the Committee on Senior Counsel, which receives and evaluates the applications and may seek additional information from applicants or other persons before making its decision.

The committee is required to make its assessment without being influenced by factors such as age, tribe, gender, race or political belief.

The committee is required to consider applications within six months of the submission deadline and communicate its decision to applicants. For those it recommends, it submits the names to the Chief Justice within 30 days of its decision.

The Chief Justice then forwards the recommended names to the President, who grants a letter of conferment to each person whose name is on the recommended list.

Section 17(3) of the Advocates Act provides that the President is to make the grant within 60 days of receiving the list through the Chief Justice.

The Senior Counsel rank is a professional distinction carrying privileges within the legal profession, including precedence in the mention of matters in court and specific rights concerning court dress and seating. The Judiciary maintains the official Roll of Senior Counsel.

The 2026 applicants will therefore have to pass through the committee's evaluation before any names are forwarded to the Chief Justice and ultimately the President for formal conferment.