FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL PAUL KIHARA KARIUKI DIES AT 72
Former Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki has died at 72. Tributes pour in for the jurist who led the Court of Appeal and helped build Kenya’s judicial training.
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Former Attorney General and retired Court of Appeal President Paul Kihara Kariuki has died aged 72, bringing to an end a distinguished legal career spanning nearly five decades.
Kariuki's death was confirmed on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, by his family and Chief Justice Martha Koome, who led tributes to the veteran jurist, describing him as an accomplished legal mind whose contribution to Kenya's justice system would remain part of the country's institutional history.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Judiciary, Koome praised Kariuki's leadership, dedication to public service and role in strengthening the country's legal institutions.
She extended condolences to his family, friends, former colleagues and members of the legal fraternity, noting that his influence would continue to be felt through the institutions he helped build and the professionals he mentored.
President William Ruto also mourned the former Attorney General, describing him as a dedicated public servant who made an invaluable contribution to Kenya's legal and judicial institutions.
The President particularly recognised Kariuki's role in establishing the Judiciary Training Institute, where he helped lay the foundation for structured professional development and capacity building among judicial officers.
Born on May 11, 1954, in Kiambu County, Kariuki was the son of the late Anglican Church Bishop Obadiah Kariuki and Lillian Wairimu.
He attended Nairobi School before pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Nairobi, graduating in 1977. He later obtained a postgraduate diploma in law from the Kenya School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
Kariuki began his legal career at Hamilton, Harrison and Mathews before moving into private practice and later co-founding Ndungu Njoroge and Kwach Advocates.
He subsequently served as Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya School of Law before joining the Judiciary as a High Court judge in 2003.
His career took another significant turn in 2013 when he became President of the Court of Appeal, having been elected by fellow judges under the framework of the 2010 Constitution. He served in the position until 2018.
During his leadership, Kariuki championed reforms aimed at improving the efficiency and accessibility of the appellate court, including decentralising its operations to bring judicial services closer to Kenyans.
He also played a pioneering role in judicial training, serving as the founding Director of the Judiciary Training Institute, the predecessor of the Kenya Judiciary Academy. His work helped establish structured programmes for the professional development of judges, magistrates and other judicial officers.
In 2018, Kariuki moved from the Judiciary to the Executive after then-President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him Attorney General, succeeding Professor Githu Muigai.
As Kenya's seventh Attorney General, he served as the government's principal legal adviser, providing legal guidance on government policies, legislation and other matters of national importance.
He remained in office until October 2022, when he handed over to Justin Muturi following the transition to President William Ruto's administration.
His departure from public office marked the end of an extensive career in which he had served in private legal practice, judicial leadership and the country's highest government legal advisory position.
Kariuki's death has drawn tributes from the country's leadership and legal fraternity, with attention turning to his contribution to judicial administration, institutional development and the training of future generations of legal professionals.
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Written by FRANKLINE NYANDORO
Reporter and staff writer at Getembe News.
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