Former Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki has died aged 72. His death was announced on Tuesday by Chief Justice Martha Koome, prompting tributes to a career spanning the courts, legal education and government.
Kariuki served as Kenya’s Attorney General from 2018 to 2022. Before that, he led the Court of Appeal for five years. He was also instrumental in establishing structures for the training of judges and other judicial officers.
His career placed him at the centre of Kenya’s legal system during a period of major constitutional disputes and institutional change.
Tributes From the Judiciary
Koome expressed sadness at Kariuki’s death. She described him as an accomplished jurist and a dedicated public servant. His contribution, she said, would remain part of Kenya’s legal history. Condolences were extended to his family, friends and former colleagues.
President William Ruto also mourned the retired judge. He praised Kariuki’s service and his work in strengthening the country’s legal institutions.
Particular recognition was given to his role in judicial training. The institution he helped establish laid foundations for professional development within the Judiciary.
From Advocate to Judge
Kariuki’s legal career began in private practice. He worked at Hamilton Harrison and Mathews Advocates before co-founding Ndungu Njoroge and Kwach Advocates.
He later joined the Kenya School of Law, where he served as principal and chief executive officer. His experience in legal education preceded his move to the Judiciary.
In 2003, he was appointed a High Court judge. He served in the civil and commercial divisions before being elevated to the Court of Appeal.
In 2013, he became president of the Court of Appeal. He remained in the position until 2018, when he was appointed Attorney General.
Building Judicial Institutions
One of Kariuki’s lasting contributions was his work in judicial education. He served as the founding director of the Judiciary Training Institute.
The institute was established to strengthen professional training for judges, magistrates and other judicial staff. It later became part of the institutional history behind the Kenya Judiciary Academy.
During his leadership at the Court of Appeal, reforms were also pursued to improve efficiency and access to justice. These included efforts to bring appellate court services closer to people outside Nairobi.
His work extended beyond the judgments delivered in court. Institution-building and professional training formed a significant part of his public service.
A Contested Tenure as Attorney General
Kariuki was nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta in February 2018. His appointment was approved by Parliament, and he took office in April that year, succeeding Professor Githu Muigai.
As Attorney General, he served as the government’s principal legal adviser. His tenure coincided with tensions between the Executive and the Judiciary.
One major dispute concerned the appointment of judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission. Kenyatta declined to appoint 41 nominees, drawing criticism from then Chief Justice David Maraga.
Kariuki also represented the government in legal proceedings over the Building Bridges Initiative, which proposed constitutional changes. In March 2022, the Supreme Court upheld decisions declaring the initiative unconstitutional.
These episodes placed the Attorney General’s office at the heart of important debates about constitutional authority and the separation of powers.
His Work at the State Law Office
Figures released by the Office of the Attorney General highlighted the volume of work completed during Kariuki’s tenure.
The office reported that 4,541 cases filed against the government had been concluded. It also issued 3,119 legal opinions to government ministries and agencies and approved 252 procurement contracts.
The figures offer an indication of the breadth of the office’s responsibilities. They also reflect the legal demands placed on the government during a period of significant political and constitutional activity.
Kariuki left office on October 27, 2022, following the change of administration after the General Election. He handed over to Justin Muturi, who had been appointed by Ruto.
A Career Beyond Government
Away from the State Law Office, Kariuki served as an honorary legal adviser to the Anglican Church of Kenya.
He was also associated with professional bodies, including the Law Society of Kenya, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the International Bar Association.
His career crossed several parts of the legal profession. He worked as an advocate, led a law school, served as a judge and headed both the Court of Appeal and the Attorney General’s office.
His death marks the loss of a senior figure in Kenya’s legal establishment. His legacy will be measured not only by the offices he held, but also by the institutions he helped build and the legal professionals who benefited from his work.
