Former Attorney-General and Court of Appeal President, Justice (Rtd) Paul Kihara Kariuki, has died. His legal career spanned more than four decades. Born in Kiambu in 1954, Kariuki graduated with a law degree from the University of Nairobi in 1977. He started in private legal practice before joining the Judiciary as a High Court judge in 2003. Kariuki's extensive experience in the judiciary and his significant contributions to Kenya's legal system have been acknowledged by various stakeholders.
Kariuki held several notable positions throughout his career. He served as the first Director of the Judiciary Training Institute and, in 2013, became the first elected President of the Court of Appeal under the 2010 Constitution. In 2018, former President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him Kenya’s seventh Attorney-General, a position he held until 2022. During his tenure as Attorney-General, Kariuki was involved in several significant events that shaped the country's judicial landscape.
Kariuki's tenure as Attorney-General was marked by significant tensions between the Executive and Judiciary. One of the major controversies involved the appointment of 41 judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission. The Law Society of Kenya threatened to have him struck off the Roll of Advocates, accusing him of professional misconduct for allegedly failing to advise the President to appoint the judges. However, the judges were eventually sworn in during President William Ruto’s administration.
Kariuki also played a central role in defending the government’s Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which sought constitutional reforms following the 2018 handshake between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga. The initiative aimed to promote national cohesion and address various socio-political issues. However, in March 2022, the Supreme Court upheld key findings that the initiative was unconstitutional.
Despite the controversies surrounding his tenure as Attorney-General, Kariuki made notable contributions to judicial administration, legal education and institutional development. As President of the Court of Appeal, he championed decentralisation of appellate services to improve access to justice across the country. His efforts aimed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial system.
Following his death, various stakeholders paid tribute to Kariuki's service and contribution to Kenya’s legal institutions. Chief Justice Martha Koome, President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Chief Justice David Maraga acknowledged his legacy. Lawyer Donald Kipkorir praised his integrity, describing him as an incorruptible jurist whose professional reputation was beyond reproach.
Justice Kariuki leaves behind a significant legacy in Kenya’s legal history, having served in private practice, judicial leadership and the Executive, while playing a key role in some of the country’s most important constitutional and judicial developments. His contributions to the country's legal system will be remembered for years to come. Kariuki's death marks the end of an era in Kenya's judiciary.
Key points
- Paul Kihara Kariuki died on an unspecified date.
- Kariuki served as Attorney-General from 2018 to 2022.
- Kariuki championed decentralisation of appellate services as President of the Court of Appeal.
