NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Attorney General and retired Court of Appeal President Paul Kihara Kariuki has died aged 72, bringing to an end a legal career that spanned nearly five decades and placed him at the centre of Kenya’s judicial and constitutional affairs.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, by his family and Chief Justice Martha Koome, who led tributes to the former head of the State Law Office.
Koome described Kariuki as an accomplished jurist, exemplary judicial leader and dedicated public servant whose contribution to the administration of justice and development of Kenya’s legal institutions would remain part of the country’s institutional history.
President William Ruto also mourned the former Attorney General, praising his contribution to strengthening the Judiciary and professional development of judicial officers.
“We shall remember Justice Kihara as an accomplished jurist and dedicated public servant, who made an invaluable contribution to the development and strengthening of Kenya’s legal and judicial institutions,” Ruto said.
The President singled out Kariuki’s role as the founding director of the Judiciary Training Institute, saying he helped shape the professional development of Kenya’s judicial officers.
On behalf of the government and Kenyans, Ruto conveyed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the retired judge, praying for strength and comfort during the difficult period.
Kariuki’s journey from private practice to the Court of Appeal
Kariuki built his legal career through private practice, legal education and judicial service before rising to some of the country’s most senior constitutional offices.
He studied law at the University of Nairobi and obtained a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law before being admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1978.
He started his career at Hamilton, Harrison and Mathews Advocates in Nairobi, where he worked as a legal assistant before becoming a partner.
In 1986, he co-founded Ndungu Njoroge and Kwach Advocates, where he practised until 2000, when he moved into legal education as Director of the Kenya School of Law.
His transition to the Judiciary came in October 2003, when he was appointed a High Court judge by former President Mwai Kibaki.
He served in the High Court’s civil and commercial divisions before taking up judicial leadership responsibilities, including heading the newly established Judiciary Training Institute in 2009.
The institute became one of his most enduring institutional contributions, providing structured education and professional development for judges, magistrates and other judicial officers.
The institution later evolved into the Kenya Judiciary Academy, which continues to coordinate judicial education and training.
First elected President of the Court of Appeal under the 2010 Constitution
Kariuki was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2012 and subsequently elected by fellow judges as President of the court in 2013.
He became the first person elected to the position under Article 164(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, serving until 2018.
As head of the appellate court, he oversaw its administration and championed changes aimed at improving efficiency and accessibility, including decentralising court operations.
His departure from the Judiciary came in February 2018, when former President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated him to become Attorney General following the resignation of Professor Githu Muigai.
His tenure as Attorney General under Uhuru Kenyatta
Kariuki was sworn in as Kenya’s seventh Attorney General in April 2018, becoming the government’s principal legal adviser and taking responsibility for representing the State in legal matters.
His four-and-a-half-year tenure coincided with significant constitutional disputes and tensions between the Executive and Judiciary.
One of the major controversies involved Kenyatta’s refusal to appoint 41 judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission, a dispute that drew criticism from then Chief Justice David Maraga and raised questions about judicial independence.
Kariuki also represented the government’s position in legal proceedings surrounding the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), the proposed constitutional reform process associated with Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The Supreme Court ultimately declared the initiative unconstitutional in March 2022, following a series of court challenges.
During his time at the State Law Office, the government reported that 4,541 cases filed against it had been concluded, alongside the issuance of 3,119 legal opinions to ministries and public agencies and approval of 252 procurement contracts.
Kariuki left office on October 27, 2022, following the formation of Ruto’s administration, handing over to Justin Muturi, who had been appointed to succeed him.
Ruto and Koome honour his public service
In his condolence message, Ruto described Kariuki’s service as invaluable to the development of Kenya’s legal and judicial institutions.
The President particularly recognised his work at the Judiciary Training Institute, where he helped establish a foundation for the continuous professional development of judicial officers.
Koome also highlighted the retired judge’s contribution to judicial education, describing his leadership at the institute as pioneering.
Beyond government and judicial service, Kariuki was an honorary legal adviser to the Anglican Church of Kenya and belonged to professional organisations including the Law Society of Kenya, Commonwealth Lawyers Association and International Bar Association.
His career took him from the offices of private advocates to the High Court, the Court of Appeal and ultimately the country’s highest legal advisory office.
