Former Attorney General Paul Kihara Dies

Former Attorney General and President of the Court of Appeal Paul Kihara Kariuki has died.  

In a statement on Tuesday, November 3, Chief Justice Martha Koome confirmed the passing of Kihara. 

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Koome mourned Justice Kihara as an accomplished jurist, exemplary judicial leader and dedicated public servant whose contributions to Kenya's legal institutions would remain part of the country's history.

The CJ also extended her condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the former Attorney General. 

“It is with profound sadness that I have learnt of the passing of Hon. Justice (Rtd.) Paul Kihara Kariuki, EGH, former Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya and former President of the Court of Appeal. 

“On my own behalf, and on behalf of the entire Judiciary fraternity, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and all those whose lives he touched during his distinguished career in public service,” read the statement in part. 

Justice Kihara was appointed a High Court Judge in 2003 before being elevated to the Court of Appeal, where he later became the first President under the 2010 Constitution.  

During his tenure, Kihara spearheaded reforms aimed at improving the court's efficiency and accessibility, including the decentralization of its operations.

The former AG also helped strengthen judicial training after serving as the founding Director of the Judiciary Training Institute, which preceded the Kenya Judiciary Academy.

“One of Justice Kihara Kariuki's most enduring contributions to the Judiciary was his pioneering leadership as the founding Director of the Judiciary Training Institute, the predecessor of today's Kenya Judiciary Academy. 

“At a formative stage in the institution's development, he laid the operational foundations for a structured and institutionalized approach to judicial education, professional development and capacity building for Judges, Judicial Officers and Judiciary staff,” CJ Koome said. 

Kihara then served as the Attorney General from 2018 to 2022 during the second term of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.  

CJ Koome said the late Kihara’s legacy would live on through the institutions he helped establish, the reforms he championed and the generations of legal professionals who benefited from his leadership.

“His legacy will endure through the institutions he helped build, the reforms he championed and the generations of judicial and legal professionals who benefited from his leadership,” she added. 

President William Ruto eulogized 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. 

"I have learnt with deep sadness of the passing of Hon Justice (retired) Paul Kariuki Kihara, former Attorney-General of Kenya and former President of the Court of Appeal.

"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," he wrote. 

Uhuru, on his part, remembered Justice Kihara as a renowned judge and dedicated public servant whose long and successful career as Attorney General and President of the Court of Appeal left an indelible mark on Kenya's judicial and public institutions. 

The retired President also prayed for peace, strength, and comfort for the bereaved family during this period of grief.

This comes days after Nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Taita Taveta County, Margaret Kawuki, passed away. 

In a statement on October 29, the Jubilee Party Secretary General, Moitalel Ole Kenta, offered condolences to the family of the late Kawuki.

Ole Kenta eulogised the departed Nominated MCA as a dedicated member of the former ruling party and a committed public servant.

"It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that I, on behalf of the Jubilee Party, convey our heartfelt condolences following the untimely passing of our nominated Member of the County Assembly of Taita Taveta County, Hon. Margaret Kawuki.

"She was a committed public servant, a champion of democracy, equality and the rights of women, and a courageous voice for those who often go unheard. She carried herself with conviction, dignity and compassion, and remained a voice of reason even in difficult moments," Ole Kenta wrote.