A formal petition has been submitted to the Committee on Senior Counsel, seeking the removal of prominent lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi from the Roll of Senior Counsel over alleged professional misconduct, including persistent criticism of the judiciary.

The petition, filed by lawyers Paul Kiragu Wathuta and John Murimi Njomo, cites Rule 4(c) and Rule 15 of the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules, 2011. The petitioners argue that Ahmednasir has repeatedly engaged in conduct unbecoming of a Senior Counsel, particularly through his social media activity.

Wathuta and Njomo accuse Ahmednasir of using social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to discredit members of the judiciary. They claim he has made multiple “unsubstantiated allegations against judges” and accused the courts of tribal bias and corruption without providing formal evidence.

“Ahmednasir has become a master of fickle attacks on the judiciary without presenting proof of any wrongdoing by judicial officers,” the petition states.

It further alleges that Ahmednasir has “weaponized social media as a tool for maligning judges,” making reckless claims that undermine the legal profession’s integrity. The petitioners argue that such behavior erodes public confidence in the administration of justice.

Despite repeated warnings, the petitioners assert that Ahmednasir has doubled down on his attacks, describing his conduct as “willful, sustained, and designed to undermine the courts’ dignity.”

The petition emphasizes that the prestigious Senior Counsel title, conferred upon Ahmednasir in December 2012, is reserved for advocates who uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. The petitioners urge the Committee on Senior Counsel to revoke his title to preserve the profession’s dignity.

“This decision is necessary to restore public confidence in the rank of Senior Counsel. The title would lose meaning if Ahmednasir is allowed to retain it despite his conduct,” the petition concludes.

This petition follows an earlier decision by the Supreme Court to bar Ahmednasir from appearing before it. In January last year, the court cited years of “consistently distasteful remarks” made by Ahmednasir against the institution and its judges.

A strongly-worded letter from Registrar L.M. Wachira also prohibited employees of Ahmednasir’s law firm from filing cases before the court, acknowledging that the decision would impact his clients.

Last week, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the ban, declining to hear a case from Ahmednasir Abdullahi Advocates LLP. Chief Justice Martha Koome reiterated that all judges of the court had recused themselves from handling matters involving Ahmednasir’s firm, maintaining that the reasons for recusal remain valid.

In Kenya, the Senior Counsel title is conferred by the Head of State following vetting by the Committee on Senior Counsel. Those granted the honor enjoy privileges such as wearing special robes akin to those of Court of Appeal judges, sitting in front seats in court, and having their cases prioritized.

The petition now places the fate of Ahmednasir’s Senior Counsel status in the hands of the Committee, which will determine whether his conduct warrants removal from the esteemed rank