This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
On May 15, 2020, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) put on hold the conferment of the title of Senior Counsel to former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and former Justice Minister Martha Karua.
The decision was made by LSK Chair Nelson Havi, who cited that due process was not followed in the vetting and qualification of the two for the prestigious title.
The two were part of a group of 24 respected lawyers in Kenya who had been vetted and qualified for the title in August 2019.
Concerns were raised about the validity of the Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges Rules, 2011, which were amended twice in 2012 and 2014 without public participation.
LSK Chair Nelson Havi stated that the decision of the committee made on August 26, 2019, would be set aside, and the recommendation for conferment of the 24 advocates would be revoked.
He added that the applications for 2019 would be considered together with those made in 2020, and that it would be a priority for LSK to ensure that the conferment process adheres to the Constitution of Kenya and best practice in the Commonwealth.
