Paul Kihara Kariuki (1954–2026): who was Kenya's former Attorney General?
Former Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki has died aged 72. He served as a High Court judge, President of the Court of Appeal and AG from 2018 to 2022, when his office defended the BBI in court. Here is his life and career.
Former Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki died on Tuesday 3 November 2026, aged 72. Chief Justice Martha Koome confirmed his death, calling him "an accomplished jurist, an exemplary judicial leader and a dedicated public servant."
His career at a glance
Born on 11 May in Kiambu County, son of Anglican Bishop Obadiah Kariuki.
Graduates in law from the University of Nairobi and joins the firm Hamilton, Harrison and Mathews, later becoming a partner.
Co-founds and practises at Ndungu Njoroge and Kwach Advocates. Also serves as Chancellor of the Anglican Church of Kenya.
Director of the Kenya School of Law.
Appointed a High Court judge by President Mwai Kibaki.
Leads the new Judicial Training Institute, now the Kenya Judiciary Academy.
President of the Court of Appeal, pushing to take appeal courts closer to people outside Nairobi.
Attorney General, nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta after Githu Muigai resigned. Hands over to Justin Muturi in October 2022.
Dies on 3 November, aged 72. Survived by his wife, Sarah Njoki Kariuki, and three children.
What does an Attorney General do?
The AG is the government's chief legal adviser. The office advises the President and ministries, represents the national government in court cases, and helps draft and review laws. It does not decide who is prosecuted; that is the job of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The BBI years
As AG, Kihara led the government's legal defence of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), the push to amend the constitution. Courts ruled against key parts of it, and his office faced public and political criticism, though he kept a low public profile.
His legacy
Admirers point to the institutions he helped build, especially judicial training, and to his reforms at the Court of Appeal. The Chief Justice said his legacy "will endure through the institutions he helped build". Before law, he was also known as a stage actor, admired for his voice and public speaking.
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