Kenya's next generation of advocates will be significantly more female, as women candidates demonstrated a commanding lead over their male counterparts in the latest Advocates Training Programme (ATP) examinations released by the Council of Legal Education (CLE). The results, however, paint a concerning national picture, with only 22% of candidates successfully passing all required units.

This performance marks a notable dip from the November 2024 exams, raising critical questions about the future of legal training in the country. For the average Kenyan, this signals a potential bottleneck in the justice system; fewer new advocates could mean less access to legal representation and a slower-moving judiciary, ultimately impacting everything from land disputes to commercial litigation.

The detailed breakdown from the CLE reveals a stark gender gap among the 1,835 regular candidates. Female pass rates consistently hovered between 55.5% and 58.5% across most subjects, while male pass rates lagged significantly behind at 41.5% to 44.5%. Out of 2,968 total candidates, including 1,133 re-sit students, only 397 individuals passed all nine required units to be considered for admission to the Bar.

A Crisis of Ethics

The most alarming statistic lies in the continued failure of the Professional Ethics course (ATP 105). For the third consecutive examination series, it has registered the lowest pass rate, this time at a dismal 25.38%. The CLE itself acknowledged this as a "worrying trend." This persistent failure raises profound concerns about the foundational values being instilled in future officers of the court, who will be entrusted with upholding justice and the rule of law.

In stark contrast, the unit on Trial Advocacy (ATP 104) was the best-performing subject, with a near-perfect pass rate of 97.49%. This suggests that while students are mastering the practical skills of courtroom performance, the core principles that should guide that practice are not being effectively absorbed.

Calls for Reform Amidst Concern

The legal fraternity has met the results with a mixture of alarm and calls for introspection. Experts point to the demanding nature of the ATP, which many students undertake while juggling full-time work and pupillage commitments. The CLE has noted its ongoing efforts to reform the examination process, including measures to support candidates with special needs.

• Total Candidates: 2,968 (1,835 regular, 1,133 re-sits)
• Overall Pass Rate: 21.64% (397 out of 1,834 who sat all units)
• Highest Pass Rate: Trial Advocacy (97.49%)
• Lowest Pass Rate: Professional Ethics (25.38%)

As Kenya's legal landscape evolves, the challenge remains to ensure that the pipeline of new advocates is not only skilled but also deeply grounded in the ethical bedrock of the profession. The performance of these candidates is more than an academic statistic; it is a direct reflection of the future integrity of the nation's justice system.