Nairobi, Kenya – Two advocates have formally petitioned the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to revoke the Senior Counsel title of Ahmednasir Abdullahi, citing allegations of behavior that they argue tarnishes the prestigious title.

Advocates Paul Kiragu Wathuta and John Murimi Njomo submitted the petition, claiming that Mr Abdullahi’s actions have discredited the title of Senior Counsel, which is typically awarded to lawyers who demonstrate exceptional professionalism and ethical standards.

The petition specifically referenced incidents where Mr Abdullahi’s behavior fell below the standards expected from a Senior Counsel.

The advocates pointed to multiple instances on social media platforms and in open court where Mr Abdullahi displayed conduct deemed unbecoming for someone holding such a high legal rank.

Violation of Senior Counsel Standards

The petitioners referred to Rule 15(1) of the Legal Profession Act, which allows for the removal of a person from the Roll of Senior Counsel if they fail to meet the qualifications set under Rule 7. The advocates argued that Mr Abdullahi’s actions violated these standards, stating, “Whenever the line is crossed from legitimate criticism to spurious attack, attorney discipline is warranted to maintain the integrity of the bar and the dignity of the courts.”

Specific Allegations of Misconduct

In their petition, Wathuta and Njomo highlighted a series of public posts and comments by Mr. Abdullahi, which they believe crossed the line of professional decorum. Here are some two notable posts made by Mr Abdullahi on social media.

On October 3, 2024, Mr. Abdullahi posted on X (formerly Twitter), criticizing the judiciary by stating: “This is the case a Milimani judge had been ordered to issue orders stopping Parliament from impeaching DP Rigathi Gachagua. Kenya is a tribal state and judges are taking a tribal stand…sad that the @CJ Martha Koome has destroyed the courts completely.”

Earlier, on September 3, 2024, he made another controversial post: “Reforming the Supreme Court obviously entails the removal of the notoriously four most corrupt judges of the court and the incompetent/clueless CJ Koome.”

The petitioners argue that these comments reflect a disregard for the decorum expected from a Senior Counsel, further questioning Mr Abdullahi’s ability to uphold the integrity of the legal profession.

Senior Counsel Title Controversy

Mr Abdullahi, who was awarded the rank of Senior Counsel via a Gazette notice on June 14, 2013, has long been a prominent and outspoken figure within Kenya’s legal community.

However, his vocal criticisms of the judiciary, particularly against Chief Justice Martha Koome and other judicial leaders, have sparked controversy.

The advocates’ petition raises concerns that his conduct undermines the dignity of the Senior Counsel title and could damage the public’s trust in the legal profession.

The petition has sparked a wider conversation about judicial independence, accountability, and the ethical responsibilities of senior members of the legal community.

As the Law Society of Kenya reviews the petition, it remains to be seen whether Mr Abdullahi’s title will be revoked, or if the controversy surrounding his remarks will lead to further discussions on the role of Senior Counsel in maintaining professional standards.