Today marks a monumental day for Kabarak University as we celebrate the official conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Counsel (SC) on our own Senior Lecturer, Elisha Zebedee Ongoya. The honour was bestowed by His Excellency President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, alongside 53 other distinguished advocates, making this one of the most significant and inclusive cohorts in Kenya’s legal history.

This elevation is a profound reflection of Mr Ongoya's commitment to legal excellence, integrity, and his vast contribution to Kenya's jurisprudence over more than 20 years.

Senior Counsel Elisha Zebedee Ongoya is renowned for his sharp legal intellect and formidable presence in the courtroom. His professional career has seen him at the heart of consequential constitutional and governance cases that have shaped the nation’s democratic discourse.

• He was a key member of the legal team that successfully challenged the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a landmark victory that affirmed the rule of law and the sanctity of the constitutional amendment process.
• His masterful litigation skills were evident in his successful defence of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza against two impeachment motions. He also earned nationwide acclaim for his articulate and incisive role as counsel during the impeachment proceedings involving Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
• The title of Senior Counsel, the Kenyan equivalent of the Queen’s or King’s Counsel in other Commonwealth countries, is the highest honour bestowed upon advocates who have demonstrated outstanding professional competence, high ethical standards, and significant service to the legal community and the public.

As a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Private Law at the Kabarak University School of Law since 2010, Mr. Ongoya brings his wealth of practical, high-stakes experience directly into the classroom. He is affectionately known by students and colleagues as “Mzee Zebedee Ongoya,”  a title of cultural respect that speaks to his wisdom and mentorship.

• A scholar with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Nairobi, he further honed his leadership skills at the Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) in Israel.
• His impact extends beyond teaching, as he spearheads intellectual forums like the Avid Readers’ Forum (ARF), fostering a culture of rigorous legal thinking, debate, and wholesome reading among our students. He is also an accomplished author whose publications enrich legal scholarship.

The conferment of the Senior Counsel rank on Mr. Ongoya reinforces Kabarak University's commitment to academic distinction, ethical leadership, and service to the nation. His journey exemplifies the core values of our institution: excellence, character, scholarship, and Christ-centred leadership.

We salute Senior Counsel Elisha Zebedee Ongoya for this well-deserved recognition and celebrate his continued success as he inspires our students and contributes to the progressive development of the law in Kenya.

Congratulations, Senior Counsel Elisha Zebedee Ongoya. Your success is Kabarak University’s pride.