The Supreme Court lifted restrictions that had barred Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi and members of his law firm from appearing before the apex court, nearly two years after the sanction was imposed.
In a ruling delivered in Nairobi on January 23, 2026, the court held that the senior counsel had been given sufficient time to reflect on his conduct and that assurances had been given that the dignity and decorum of the court would be upheld going forward.
The decision arose from an oral application made in a petition filed by the Attorney General on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government against Nguruman Limited.
Senior Counsels Paul Muite and Fred Ngatia and lawyer Dennis Mosota appearing as lead counsel for the respondent, urged the court to vacate an earlier order issued on January 23, 2024, which barred Ahmednasir Abdullahi, his law firm, or anyone acting on his instructions from having audience before the Supreme Court.
They argued that the two-year period had served its corrective purpose and that the circumstances which prompted the court to issue the suo motu order were now historical.
The lawyers told the court that Abdullahi had undertaken to engage with court decisions respectfully and within the bounds of scholarly discourse.
The Attorney General, through lawyer Odongo asked the court to provide appropriate guidance on the matter.
In its determination, the Supreme Court acknowledged the gravity of the conduct that led to the issuance of the 2024 order but noted that two calendar years had elapsed since then.
The court said it was satisfied that the senior advocate had had adequate time for introspection and that assurances given by counsel regarding his future conduct were credible.
The judges said that the original sanction was imposed to safeguard the authority and dignity of the court, adding that there was no reason to doubt the undertakings made on Abdullahi’s behalf.
However, the court clarified that while Ahmednasir Abdullahi, advocates from his firm, and those acting under his instructions may now appear before the Supreme Court, the January 23, 2024 order could not be formally vacated as it was issued in separate proceedings that have since been concluded.
“it is our determination that Senior Counsel, Mr. Ahmednasir Abdullahi, an employee of his law firm, any other person holding his brief, or acting pursuant to his instructions, may from the date of this Ruling appear and practice before the Supreme Court of Kenya and specifically in respect of the proceedings herein,” said the court.
“The Order issued on the 23rd January 2024 cannot however be vacated in the present matter as it was made in separate proceedings which have since been concluded.”
The ruling was delivered by Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and Justices Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola and William Ouko.
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