Kenyan lawyers get global limelight

By Wahome Thuku

Twenty-four Kenyan lawyers have been named among the world’s top legal professionals this year.

Also listed at the top by international legal research company, Chambers Global, are nine Kenyan law firms.

The prestigious list of who-is-who in dispute resolution category was released on Monday last week. The lawyers and the firms are categorised into six bands with band one being the best.

Top in the list are prominent lawyers Kenneth Fraser, Prof Githu Muigai, Fred Ojiambo, and George Oraro in band one. In band two are Waweru Gatonye, Karori Kamau, Kiragu Kimani, Fred Ngatia, Mohamed Nyaoga, James Ochieng, Chacha Odera and Njoroge Regeru.

In band three are Zul Alibhai, Walter Amoko, Peter Gachuhi, Allen Gichuhi, Ushwin Khanna, Nazima Malik, Martin Munyu, Kishore Nanji, John Ohanga and Desterio Oyatsi.

Band one

Two seasoned lawyers — Pheroze Nowrojee and I.T Inamdar — are named as senior statesmen in the global legal practice. Law firms named in band one are Hamilton Harrison and Mathews Company, Kaplan and Straton Company, and Oraro & Company Advocates.

In band two are Inamdar &Inamdar Company and Ochieng, Onyango, Kibet and Ohaga Advocates, while in band three are Anjarwalla & Khanna, Iseme Kamau & Maema Advocates, Mohammed Muigai Advocates, Njoroge Regeru and Company Advocates, and Walter Kontos. Lawyers Steven Kairu and Njoroge Regeru are named as top arbitrators, while Geoffrey Imende, Michi Kirimi, David Majanja and Muriuki Mugambi are listed as up and coming lawyers who are driving their firms’ growth.