Former Attorney General and retired Court of Appeal President Paul Kihara Kariuki has died aged 72, marking the end of a distinguished career in Kenya’s legal and judicial institutions.
His death was confirmed by his family and Chief Justice Martha Koome in a statement released on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Koome expressed sadness over the passing of the former head of the State Law Office, describing him as a respected member of the Judiciary who had served the country in several senior legal positions.
“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,” Koome said.
President William Ruto also joined Kenyans in mourning Kariuki, recognising his contribution to public service and the development of the country’s legal and judicial institutions.
Ruto particularly highlighted Kariuki’s role as the founding director of the Judiciary Training Institute, where he contributed to strengthening professional training within the Judiciary.
Paul Kihara Kariuki’s legal and judicial career
Kariuki built a career spanning several decades, rising through private legal practice, legal education and the Judiciary before becoming one of Kenya’s most senior government legal officers.
He studied law at the University of Nairobi before obtaining a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law. He was admitted to the Kenyan Bar in 1978.
His professional journey began at Hamilton Harrison and Mathews Advocates, after which he co-founded Ndungu Njoroge and Kwach Advocates.
He remained in private practice until joining the Kenya School of Law as its Principal and Chief Executive Officer.
In 2003, Kariuki was appointed a High Court judge, where he served in the civil and commercial divisions.
He later joined the Court of Appeal, where his fellow judges elected him President of the Court of Appeal in 2013. He held the position until 2018.
Kariuki’s appointment as Attorney General
Kariuki’s career reached another significant milestone in 2018 when then-President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated him to become Kenya’s Attorney General.
His nomination followed the resignation of Professor Githu Muigai, who had held the position before him.
Parliament approved Kariuki’s appointment in March 2018, paving the way for him to assume office on April 2, 2018.
He served as Attorney General until October 2022, advising the government on legal matters and representing the State in significant constitutional and administrative disputes.
His tenure, however, coincided with a period of strained relations between the Executive and the Judiciary.
One of the major controversies involved Kenyatta’s decision not to appoint 41 judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
The decision attracted criticism from then Chief Justice David Maraga, who maintained that the President was constitutionally obligated to appoint the nominees.
Kariuki also found himself at the centre of the legal proceedings surrounding the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a constitutional reform initiative associated with the Kenyatta administration.
The government defended the initiative through various court proceedings, but the Supreme Court ultimately declared it unconstitutional in March 2022.
Despite the legal and political challenges surrounding his tenure, the State Law Office recorded substantial activity under his leadership.
During his time as Attorney General, the government concluded 4,541 cases filed against it, while his office issued 3,119 legal opinions to government ministries and agencies.
The office also approved 252 procurement contracts during the period.
Kariuki leaves government after 2022 elections
Kariuki’s tenure as Attorney General came to an end following the 2022 General Election and the subsequent formation of President William Ruto’s administration.
He formally left office on October 27, 2022, handing over the position to Justin Muturi, whom Ruto had appointed as his successor.
After leaving government, Kariuki’s contribution to the legal profession continued through his involvement with various professional and religious institutions.
He served as an honorary legal adviser to the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK).
He was also affiliated with several professional organisations, including the Law Society of Kenya, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the International Bar Association.
His career encompassed private legal practice, judicial leadership, legal education and public service, placing him among the prominent figures who served in Kenya’s legal establishment.
