Kenya’s legal fraternity is mourning the death of former Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki, who passed away at the age of 72.

His death was confirmed on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, by Chief Justice Martha Koome, who issued a condolence message recognising his contribution to the country’s judicial system and legal institutions.

In her statement, Koome described the late Kariuki as an accomplished jurist, an exemplary judicial leader and a dedicated public servant whose work would remain part of Kenya’s legal history.

She also extended condolences to his family, friends, former colleagues and everyone who worked with him throughout his distinguished career.

Paul Kihara Kariuki’s Career in Kenya’s Judiciary

Kariuki served as Kenya’s Attorney General between 2018 and 2022 after being appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Before joining the government, he served as President of the Court of Appeal from 2013 to 2018, becoming the first person elected to the position by fellow judges under the 2010 Constitution.

He joined the Judiciary in 2003 after being appointed a High Court judge by former President Mwai Kibaki.

During his judicial career, Kariuki also served as the founding Director of the Judicial Training Institute, an institution that later evolved into the Kenya Judiciary Academy.

His leadership helped establish structured training and professional development programmes for judges, judicial officers and other Judiciary employees.

His Early Legal Career and Education

Born on May 11, 1954, in Kiambu County, Kariuki attended Nairobi School before proceeding to the University of Nairobi, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1977.

He began his legal career at Hamilton, Harrison and Mathews Advocates before becoming a partner at the firm.

In 1986, he co-founded Ndungu Njoroge and Kwach Advocates, where he continued practising law until 2000.

He later served as Director of the Kenya School of Law before transitioning into judicial service.

Following his departure from the Attorney General’s office in 2022, Kariuki left behind a distinguished record spanning private legal practice, judicial leadership and government service.

Chief Justice Koome said his legacy would endure through the institutions he helped establish, the reforms he championed and the generations of legal professionals who benefited from his leadership.

His death marks the loss of one of Kenya’s prominent legal figures, whose career spanned decades of service in the country’s justice system.