NAIROBI, Kenya- Former High Court Judge Justice Joseph Mbalu Mutava has died after falling suddenly ill on Friday night, August 21, 2026.
Mutava, who was the husband of Kibwezi East MP Jessica Nduku Mbalu, reportedly collapsed at his rural home in Kithasyu, Makueni County, and was rushed to Makindu Sub-County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
He had attended a burial ceremony in his neighbourhood earlier on Friday and was reportedly in good health at the time.
His death was confirmed by family members, with his body later transferred to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi as the family began preparations for his final rites.
Mutava was appointed to the High Court in August 2011 after being recommended by the Judicial Service Commission.
He served at the Milimani Commercial Courts before his removal from the Judiciary in 2016 following proceedings by a tribunal established under Article 168 of the Constitution.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua mourned Mutava, extending his condolences to Jessica Mbalu and the wider family.
“I have learnt of the demise of former High Court Judge, Justice Joseph Mbalu Mutava, husband of Kibwezi East MP Hon. Jessica Nduku Mbalu, with great sadness,” Gachagua said.
He described the loss of a spouse as a painful ordeal and asked God to comfort the bereaved family.
“Hon. Jessica Mbalu and your family, kindly accept my deepest sympathies at this difficult moment. Losing a loved one and a spouse is a painful ordeal,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua also sent his condolences to the people of Kibwezi East and prayed for the late judge’s soul to rest in eternal peace.
“To the people of Kibwezi East, we sympathise with you at this painful hour of need,” he said.
“May the soul of Joseph Mbalu rest in eternal peace, and may perpetual light shine upon him forever.”
Other leaders, including Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Parliamentary Service Commission Commissioner Johnson Muthama, also mourned Mutava.
Kalonzo described him as a man who served the country with “honour, integrity and quiet distinction”, while Muthama described him as a longtime family friend.
Mutava’s death leaves his family and the legal fraternity mourning a former judge whose career on the High Court bench began in the years following the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
