Former Attorney General and retired Court of Appeal President Paul Kihara Kariuki has died aged 72.
His death was confirmed by his family and Chief Justice Martha Koome in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Koome described Kariuki as an accomplished jurist and former judicial leader whose contribution to Kenya's legal and judicial institutions would remain part of the country's history.
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"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 mourned the former Attorney General, describing him as an accomplished jurist and public servant whose work helped strengthen Kenya's legal and judicial institutions.
Ruto particularly recognised Kariuki's role as the founding director of the Judiciary Training Institute.
"We shall remember Justice Kihara as an accomplished jurist and dedicated public servant, who made an invaluable contribution to the development and strengthening of Kenya's legal and judicial institutions," the President said.
Kariuki's legal and judicial career
Kariuki served as Kenya's Attorney General from 2018 to 2022, having previously served as President of the Court of Appeal between 2013 and 2018.
He studied law at the University of Nairobi before obtaining a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law. He was admitted to the Bar in 1978.
He began his legal career at Hamilton Harrison and Mathews Advocates before co-founding Ndungu Njoroge and Kwach Advocates, where he practised until he joined the Kenya School of Law as its Principal and Chief Executive Officer.
In 2003, he was appointed a High Court judge, serving in the Civil and Commercial Divisions.
He later joined the Court of Appeal, where his colleagues elected him president in 2013.
Kariuki's tenure as Attorney General
Then-President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated Kariuki for appointment as Attorney General in February 2018 following the resignation of Professor Githu Muigai.
Parliament approved his appointment in March 2018, and he officially took office on April 2 that year.
His tenure coincided with tensions between the Executive and the Judiciary after Kenyatta declined to appoint 41 judges recommended by the Judicial Service Commission. The decision attracted criticism from then Chief Justice David Maraga.
Kariuki also represented the government's position in legal proceedings surrounding the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which proposed constitutional changes but was eventually declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in March 2022.
During his time at the State Law Office, the government concluded 4,541 cases filed against it, issued 3,119 legal opinions to ministries and government agencies, and approved 252 procurement contracts, according to figures cited in the supplied report.
Kariuki's exit from government
Following the 2022 General Election and the formation of President William Ruto's administration, Kariuki left office on October 27, 2022.
He handed over the position to Justin Muturi, who had been appointed by Ruto as his successor.
Beyond public office, Kariuki served as an honorary legal adviser to the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK).
He was also a member of several professional organisations, including the Law Society of Kenya, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the International Bar Association.
His death has prompted tributes from the country's top judicial and political leaders, who have recognised his contribution to Kenya's legal profession and public institutions.