Prominent Kenyan attorneys were notably absent from the 2019 Chambers and Partners rankings, which evaluates legal professionals across 180 jurisdictions. The London-based firm assesses lawyers based on expertise, case outcomes, client service, and professional effectiveness.
The 2019 list included figures such as former Attorney General Githu Muigai, law firm leaders like George Oraro, and Kenyan Bar Association President Allen Gichuhi. Top dispute resolution firms Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Matthews, Kaplan & Stratton Advocates, and Oraro and Company Advocates were ranked in band one.
High-profile omissions included Ahmednasir Abdullahi, known for representing the IEBC in 2013 and 2017 election petitions, and Donald Kipkorir, whose KTK Advocates advises major financial institutions. Despite handling high-value cases—such as Centum Investment’s Ksh766 million insurance divestiture and Co-operative Bank’s Ksh6 billion financing—neither lawyer secured a spot in the rankings.
The exclusion intensified public scrutiny after Abdullahi and Kipkorir exchanged public criticisms on social media following Kipkorir’s sponsorship of the 2018 Law Society of Kenya conference. Abdullahi alleged inadequate support, while Kipkorir defended his contributions.
Chambers and Partners emphasized its evaluation criteria, stating, "Ranks individual lawyers based on their effectiveness." The rankings highlight legal performance metrics rather than public visibility or political connections.
