As we celebrate tonight, we must honour those whose dedication strengthened Kenya’s legal and constitutional soul. We remember, with deep respect, the late Judy Thongori, SC, a formidable advocate for family rights and the protection of women and children. Hers was a life of principle and quiet courage. Kenya is better because she chose to serve and advocate for our children and for gender justice.

We also pay tribute to those whose wisdom shaped our jurisprudence: my esteemed colleague and twin-sister in spirit, Martha Karua, SC, former Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, whose leadership and dedication was instrumental in drafting and guiding the Constitution of Kenya, the late Justice and Constitutional Minister Mutula Kilonzo, SC, and the late Pheroze Nowrojee, SC, who ensured the people’s voices were solidly reflected in the living document that is now our Constitution. Their contributions endure, not just in law reports, but in the values they instilled in our profession and in our nation.

We are equally blessed to have living elder statespersons guiding us. Among them, Attorney General Emeritus and first Senator for Busia County, Amos Wako, SC, whose historic role after the NARC victory in 2002 saw the formation of the first post-2002 Senior Counsel Bar. We owe him a deep debt of gratitude for that leadership and for decades of counsel and mentorship.

Alongside him, Chief Justice Emeritus Dr. Willy Mutunga, SC, and Attorney General Emeritus Prof. Githu Muigai, SC, continue to anchor the Bar and guide younger advocates.

Let me also acknowledge Mr. Paul Ndung’u, whose landmark Ndung’u Report on land injustices remains a cornerstone of our legal history. While the Young Bar may not yet fully appreciate his work, that honestly, is a sad a reflection of our nation’s disdain for history, we, this distinguished Bar, now formally recognise and honour his immense contribution. He joins the Senior Bar today alongside 53 other deserving colleagues.

Beyond honour and tradition, we must show great respect for our Junior Bar. These young advocates have stepped forward courageously, often pro bono, to represent the voices of Gen Z and Millennials who took to the streets armed not with briefs, but with the Constitution, a bottle of water, and our national flag. They demanded accountability, justice,