By Sam Alfan.

A total of 105 lawyers, among them Speaker of National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula and National Intelligence Service (NIS) boss Noordin Haji have applied to join the senior counsel bar.

The 105 advocates who sent their names for consideration by committee on senior counsel include three former presidents of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Isaac Okero, Nelson Havi and Eric Theuri.

Other prominent personalities on the list are law scholar and former Makueni governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Prof PLO Lumumba, Donald Kipkorir, Prof Ben Sihanya and Dr Ken Kiplagat.

Former solicitor general Kennedy Ogeto, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan, former PS Nancy Karigithu, Charles Nyachae and Katwa Kigen, have also applied to be considered.

Others are former Judicial Service Commission (JSC) commissioner Mercy Deche, Ambrose Rachier, Dr Koki Muli Gringon, Ms Michi Kirimi, and Dr Muthomi Thiankolu.

In a notice, LSK invited comments on the applicants, which are to be received by October 16, 2025.

“In light of the forgoing, this is therefore a call for comments from members, on the provided list of applicants,” stated the notice.

The committee will review the names within 30 days, before transmitting them to Chief Justice Martha Koome, who will thereafter, pass them to President William Ruto, for conferment.

The President, upon receiving the list of recommended candidates, may grant the rank of senior counsel.

There has an uproar over the delay in conferring new members for the past two years, prompting lawyer Francis Wanjiku to file a case before the High Court.

Mr Wanjiku had accused former chairperson of senior counsel bar, Dr Fred Ojiambo of failing to call a meeting for purposes of nominating three advocates to the committee on senior counsel.

The committee is tasked with considering applications for the conferment, making recommendations to the President and addressing applications for removal from the Roll of senior counsel.

Senior counsel Philip Murgor, the current chair of the senior counsel bar said the large number of applicants was a testimony that advocates have faith in the process.

“It also shows that lawyers agree that conferment should be based on certain criteria and peer review process,” he said.

The roll was introduced in 2003, and lawyers have to apply to be considered for admission to the prestigious club.