RIP: Kenyans Plunged Into Mourning as President Ruto Announces the Death of a Prominent Figure

President William Ruto has joined Kenyans in mourning former Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki, who died aged 72, paying tribute to his service in the country’s legal and judicial institutions.

In a condolence message issued on Tuesday, November 3, Ruto described the retired judge as an accomplished lawyer and dedicated public servant. He said Kariuki made a contribution to strengthening Kenya’s legal institutions and the administration of justice.

The President also sent his condolences to Kariuki’s family, friends, colleagues and members of the legal fraternity as they come to terms with the loss.

Kariuki held several positions during a legal career that spanned decades. He served as Kenya’s Attorney General from 2018 to 2022 under President Uhuru Kenyatta. In that role, he was the government’s principal legal adviser.

Before his appointment as Attorney General, Kariuki served as President of the Court of Appeal between 2013 and 2018. He became the first person elected by fellow judges to lead the appellate court under the 2010 Constitution.

He was also the founding director of the Judiciary Training Institute, an institution that later developed into the Kenya Judiciary Academy. His work there helped establish a structured system for training judges, judicial officers and other Judiciary staff.

Chief Justice Martha Koome also mourned Kariuki, describing him as an exemplary judicial leader whose contribution to the justice system would remain part of Kenya’s institutional history. She said his legacy would live on through the institutions he helped build, reforms he championed and legal professionals he mentored.

Kariuki’s death has prompted tributes from leaders and institutions across the country, with many recognising his contribution to public service.

As messages of condolence continue to reach his family, the country is remembering a senior state lawyer who served in both the Judiciary and the Executive.

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