This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
On August 5, 2019, a task force presented a report to the National Assembly Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, recommending changes to the rules governing the appointment of senior counsel in Kenya.
The Taskforce on Legal Sector Reforms, chaired by Senior Counsel Fred Ojiambo, proposed that the law be amended to allow for the recruitment of new senior counsel members every two years.
Currently, the senior counsel bar has 31 members, with Mr. Ojiambo as chairman. The task force noted that this number is low for a country like Kenya and that the rules should be changed to expand the membership of senior counsel.
The task force also proposed that the rules be reviewed to make provision for the composition, management, and regulation of the senior bar. Instead of the current system, the task force wants rules changed so that a committee of senior counsel calls for nominations of persons to the senior bar.
Privileges enjoyed by senior counsel include occupying front seats in courts, their matters being heard first, being allowed to wear special robes, and preferential treatment while dealing with the Judiciary.
The senior counsel bar was introduced in 2003, and initially, one had to have served as chairman of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to qualify. However, the rules were changed in October 2008, and lawyers were asked to apply to be considered for admission to the prestigious club.
