NIS Boss Noordin Haji, Nelson Havi Among 54 Newly Named Senior Counsel

Kenya has unveiled its largest ever cohort of Senior Counsel nominees, naming 54 high-profile lawyers and public figures to the country’s top legal rank after a three-year pause.

The list, released by the Committee on Senior Counsel, features National Intelligence Service Director-General Noordin Haji, former Law Society of Kenya presidents Nelson Havi and Eric Theuri, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, maritime law expert and former PS Nancy Karigithu, and President William Ruto’s former ICC defence lawyer Katwa Kigen.

If approved by the Chief Justice, the new conferments will almost double the number of Senior Counsels from 66 to 120.

Committee chair Philip Murgor said the 54 were chosen from 105 applicants, marking what he called one of the most competitive rounds since the title—modelled on the British Queen’s Counsel tradition—was introduced.

Senior Counsel status confers courtroom precedence, ceremonial privileges and a formal place within Kenya’s legal hierarchy.

Haji’s nomination immediately sparked online debate given his transition from Director of Public Prosecutions to intelligence chief, with critics questioning whether state officers should benefit from a rank historically linked to active legal practice.

Supporters argue his record in public prosecutions and national security reforms meets the threshold of “exceptional contribution” recognised by the committee.

The 2024/2025 class is notable for its breadth. Speaker Wetang’ula adds political weight; Karigithu strengthens the representation of women in the elite circle; while scholars such as Prof P.L.O. Lumumba and Prof Kariuki Muigua reflect academia’s rising influence.

Corporate governance veteran Richard Omwela, sports lawyer Ambrose Rachier and IPOA chair Ahmed Issack Hassan round out a group that cuts across government, private practice, public interest, regulation and litigation.

Past conferments have drawn criticism over opacity, political favouritism and uneven standards, controversies that resurfaced as the new names circulated online.

The committee insists it tightened its vetting criteria and applied “strict merit standards” to restore confidence in the rank.

A full list of the 54 nominees includes: Rapinder Singh Sehmi, Paul Ndiritu Ndungu, Clement Muturi Kigano, Eliud Ng’ang’a Njoroge, Evans Thiga Gaturu, Ambrose Rachier Otieno, Richard Omwela, Moses Masika Wetang’ula, Alexandra Kontos, Nancy Wakarima Karigithu, Moses Kipng’etich Kurgat, Rubeena Dar, Dr Kivutha Kibwana, Lumatete Walubengo Muchai, Njoroge Regeru, Prof Patrick Otieno Lumumba, Anastacia Kioko Mululu, James Ochieng’ Oduol, Jane Njeri Onyango Njoki, Christine Agimba Anyango, Hillary Chacha Odera, Njeri Caroline Ndegwa Kariuki, Mercy Wangari Buku, Isaac Edwin Okero, Prof Kariuki Muigua, Dr Hosea Kimutai Kili, Kennedy Ogeto, Praxedes Chepkoech Tororey, James Mburu Kamau, William Ikutha Maema, Patrick Lutta Odongo, Ruth Anyango Aura, Dr Mercy Mwarah Deche, Hassan Nunow Lakicha, Koki Muli Grignon, James Aggrey Mwamu, Adil Khawaja, Ahmed Issack Hassan, Paul Lilan, Henry Ongicho Asugah, Joseph Kipchumba Kigen Katwa, Jedidah Wakonyo Waruhiu, Mohammed Salim Balala, Rose Waithera Njoroge, Nazima Malik, Michi Kirimi Kanyiri, Noordin Mohamed Haji, Richard Harney, Ahmed Sheikh Adan, Nelson Andayi Havi, Eric Theuri Njeru, Elisha Zebedee Ongoya, Dr Muthomi Thiankolu and Immaculate Muringo Kassait.

The nominations now await formal approval and gazettement by the Chief Justice.

If you want a shortform version for social media, a push alert, or a search-optimized headline pack, I can generate those too.