Katwa Kigen stands among Kenya’s most prominent legal practitioners, known for his courtroom precision and involvement in some of the country’s most consequential cases. Over more than two decades in practice, he has built a reputation that stretches from local tribunals to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. His work has placed him at the center of constitutional disputes, criminal trials and commercial litigation that have shaped public discourse.
Admitted to the Bar in 1996 as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Katwa Kigen steadily rose through the legal ranks. Today, he is recognized as a Senior Counsel, a title reserved for advocates who demonstrate distinguished service and excellence in the legal profession. His career reflects both technical expertise and resilience under intense public scrutiny.
Operating from Nairobi, he co-owns Katwa and Kemboy Advocates, a firm that has operated for over two decades. Through this platform, he has handled civil, criminal and constitutional matters before Kenya’s highest courts and international forums.
Education Background
Katwa Kigen pursued his legal education at the University of Nairobi, one of Kenya’s premier institutions. He earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) (Hons) degree before advancing to complete a Master of Laws (LL.M.) at the same university.
Following his university studies, he obtained a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, the institution responsible for training advocates prior to admission to the Bar.
His academic grounding in both undergraduate and postgraduate law equipped him for the complex litigation that would later define his professional journey.
Legal Career and Areas of Practice
Since his admission in 1996, Katwa Kigen has practiced extensively in civil litigation. His areas of specialization include banking law, insurance disputes, medical negligence, land conflicts, commercial transactions, construction law and environmental law. He has also handled matters involving employment disputes, debt recovery and arbitration.
In addition to civil litigation, he has taken on criminal law cases, judicial review applications and public international law claims. His work often places him before the Supreme Court of Kenya, the Court of Appeal, the High Court and specialized tribunals such as the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
His ability to navigate both domestic and international legal frameworks has distinguished him within the profession. Over time, he has developed a reputation for structured argumentation and strategic case management.
High-Profile International Cases
Katwa Kigen gained international visibility through his involvement in cases before the International Criminal Court related to Kenya’s 2007/08 post-election violence.
He represented former KASS FM radio presenter Joshua Sang at the ICC. Sang was eventually acquitted after the court determined that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to sustain a conviction.
Kigen also represented William Ruto, who faced charges at the ICC and was similarly acquitted. These proceedings placed Kigen among a small group of Kenyan lawyers engaged in high-level international criminal litigation.
His role in these cases required engagement with complex evidentiary standards and international procedural law, further elevating his standing within the legal community.
Notable Domestic Litigation
Beyond international tribunals, Katwa Kigen has been involved in several widely followed domestic cases.
He successfully represented journalist Jacque Maribe in a murder trial involving businesswoman Monica Kimani. The case attracted intense media attention, and Maribe was acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence.
He also represented former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich in the Sh63 billion Arror and Kimwarer dam corruption case, where charges were eventually dropped.
In addition, Kigen acted pro bono for the families of victims in the case involving the murder of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client, and a taxi driver. The prosecution of the accused police officers drew national and international scrutiny.
More recently, he was part of William Ruto’s legal team during the 2022 presidential election petition before the Supreme Court of Kenya. The petition challenged the validity of the presidential election results, and the court ultimately upheld Ruto’s victory.
Professional Reputation and Influence
Within Kenya’s legal fraternity, Katwa Kigen is regarded as a seasoned litigator. His involvement in politically sensitive and high-profile cases has made him a recognizable figure in both legal and public spheres.
As co-owner of Katwa and Kemboy Advocates, he contributes to shaping legal strategy within the firm and mentoring younger advocates. The firm has sustained operations for more than 21 years, reflecting institutional stability and client trust.
His career illustrates how courtroom advocacy intersects with national politics, particularly when legal disputes involve electoral outcomes, corruption allegations or constitutional interpretation.
Family Life
Katwa Kigen maintains a relatively private personal life. Public information about his family remains limited, as he has chosen to keep personal matters away from media attention.
This discretion aligns with a broader trend among senior legal professionals who prefer separating professional visibility from family privacy.
Net Worth and Financial Standing
While Katwa Kigen has not publicly disclosed his net worth, he is widely considered among Kenya’s top earning lawyers. His participation in high-profile cases and representation of prominent individuals has likely contributed significantly to his financial success.
Revenue sources for senior advocates typically include litigation fees, advisory services and firm partnership earnings. Additionally, long-term practice in complex commercial and constitutional matters often translates into substantial professional compensation.
Although precise figures remain undisclosed, his standing within the legal community suggests a financially successful career built on sustained high-level practice.
Continuing Legal Legacy
Katwa Kigen’s journey from law student at the University of Nairobi to Senior Counsel reflects decades of structured legal engagement. His courtroom appearances in both domestic and international arenas have positioned him as a key figure in Kenya’s contemporary legal history.
Through constitutional petitions, criminal defense and civil litigation, he has contributed to shaping legal precedent and public understanding of justice processes. As Kenya’s legal environment continues evolving, his career remains closely associated with landmark cases that define the intersection of law, governance and accountability.
