In a remarkable career pivot, Royal Media Services (RMS) Group Editorial Director Linus Kaikai is poised to trade newsrooms for courtrooms, as he stands on the cusp of being admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Kaikai is among 916 petitioners named in a recent gazette notice, inviting public objections ahead of their formal admission to the Bar. His name appears as entry number 394 in the list, published on Sunday, October 26. This sets in motion a 30-day period for any member of the public to raise objections before the Chief Justice presides over the admission ceremonies.
The seasoned journalist, with a distinguished career spanning over two decades at both local and international media houses including BBC and CNN, will soon add the title of ‘Advocate’ to his long list of professional accomplishments. He currently serves as the Group Editorial Director and Head of Strategy at RMS, Kenya’s largest private broadcaster, overseeing outlets like Citizen TV and Radio Citizen.
Kaikai’s academic credentials reveal a long-standing affinity for law. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of Nairobi, which he complemented with a Master’s in International Journalism from the University of Westminster in the UK and a Diploma in Radio and Television Production from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC).
His impending admission is the culmination of a rigorous and multi-stage process mandated for all aspiring lawyers in Kenya. As detailed in the requirements, candidates must first obtain an LL.B. degree and meet the standards of the Council of Legal Education. This is followed by the intensive Advocates Training Programme (ATP) at the Kenya School of Law, which involves coursework, a six-month pupillage, and the formidable Bar Examination.
Only after successfully passing the Bar can petitioners apply to the Chief Justice for formal admission. The final step involves the gazettement of their names—a public vetting process—before they take the Oath of Admission and sign the Roll of Advocates, officially granting them the right to practice law in Kenya.
Kaikai’s journey from a decorated journalist and media strategist to a qualified advocate underscores a unique fusion of media and law, promising to bring a distinctive perspective to the Kenyan legal landscape. The public now awaits the conclusion of the objection period to see the veteran newsman officially cross into the legal profession.
