By Mercy Imali
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is among top lawyers who have applied to be elevated to senior counsel. Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua, CBK chairman Nyaoga Mohamed, LSK chairman Allen Gichuhi, former DPP Philip Murgor, ex-IEBC commissioner Thomas Letangule, Agnes Odhong, ex-East Africa Law Society chairman James Mwamu have also made applications. The aforementioned names are among those featured in a list published by the law society on Tuesday.
There are about 20 lawyers who have earned the title of senior counsel in Kenya. Among them are Siaya Senator James Orengo, his Busia counterpart Amos Wako, Tom Ojienda and Ahmednasir Abdullahi.
Senior counsel enjoy a set of privileges when handling their matters before court. They have a special space in time slots where their matters are heard and dispensed with first. They are allocated special seats in the court such as getting the exclusive right to sit in front of judges and magistrates. When appearing before a tribunal, the senior lawyers also put on sleeved waistcoats similar to those adorned by Court of Appeal judges.
The Committee on Senior Counsel shall forward the names of persons recommended for conferment to the Chief Justice within 30 days.