By Nyang’au Araka
The death of retired Justice Paul Kihara Kariuki marks the passing of a distinguished member of Kenya’s legal fraternity whose career was defined by judicial service, institutional leadership and a reputation for personal integrity.
GPC has learnt that beyond the impressive titles he held, including Judge of the High Court, President of the Court of Appeal and Attorney-General, Kariuki is being remembered by those who knew and worked with him as a gentleman, a principled jurist and a man whose character left a lasting impression.
Also Read
Perhaps the most telling tribute has come from the legal fraternity itself, where his work as a judge earned him the respect of advocates who appeared before him, regardless of whether they won or lost their cases.
Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who appeared before him in several matters at Milimani and Machakos courts, offered a particularly revealing account of his judicial temperament.
“The best of Mr Justice Paul Kihara Kariuki was manifest as a Judge of the High Court,” she observed, recalling that although she won some cases and lost others before him, she never appealed any of his decisions or defended an appeal against them.
“He was always just and judicious,” she said.
Karua remembered a judge comfortable enough in his own skin to occasionally appear in open court without a jacket, or retreat to his chambers for a drink or to ink his pen without necessarily adjourning proceedings.
Yet his relaxed demeanour should not be mistaken for leniency towards professional misconduct.
According to Karua, Kariuki had “zero tolerance for idiocy and mischief”. He was, she recalled, honest, independent-minded and unapologetically himself.
She recalled a particular encounter in Machakos where, having presented an application before him, the judge acknowledged its merit and meticulous preparation, but asked her to allow him to complete his cause list before writing a precise, one-page ruling.
Former Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Kiraitu Murungi also remembered Kariuki as more than a professional colleague.
Their working relationship developed through the Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector (GJLOS) Programme, particularly in efforts to strengthen justice institutions and programmes.
They also worked together on legal education when Kariuki served as Principal of the Kenya School of Law.
“Kihara was more than a colleague. He was a true gentleman, a person of exceptional character, humility and integrity,” Murungi said.
For Murungi, the loss was deeply personal, having shared with Kariuki the demanding work of strengthening institutions that form the foundation of justice and constitutional governance.
Appointed a Judge of the High Court in 2003, Kariuki rose through the judicial ranks before becoming the first President of the Court of Appeal elected by fellow judges under the 2010 Constitution.
He led the Court of Appeal from 2013 to 2018, championing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and access to justice, including the decentralisation of the court’s operations.
He also played a pioneering role in judicial education as the founding Director of the Judiciary Training Institute, the predecessor of the Kenya Judiciary Academy.
His work helped establish structured training and professional development for judges, judicial officers and Judiciary staff.
Chief Justice Martha Koome, in her condolence message, described him as “an accomplished jurist, an exemplary judicial leader and a dedicated public servant”.
She noted that his contribution to judicial education laid the foundations for an institutionalised approach to professional development within the Judiciary.
Between 2018 and 2022, Justice Kariuki served as Attorney-General, becoming the Government’s principal legal adviser.
His tenure in the office attracted differing assessments from members of the legal fraternity.
Karua, while acknowledging his earlier judicial qualities, expressed disappointment with the changes she perceived during his subsequent service.
Lawyer Nelson Havi also offered a candid assessment, saying Kariuki’s service as President of the Court of Appeal and Attorney-General had diminished the good demeanour and legal acumen he had demonstrated as a judge.
Nevertheless, Havi remembered him as a good man and acknowledged the indelible mark he had left.
Another tribute came from Senior Counsel Donald Kipkorir, who recalled a side of Kariuki that many might not have associated with his judicial career: his love of theatre.
Kipkorir described him as an excellent actor during his younger days at the National Theatre and
