Chief Justice Martha Koome has paid tribute to former Attorney General and Court of Appeal President Paul Kihara Kariuki following his death, describing him as an accomplished jurist whose contributions to Kenya's justice system will remain part of the country's institutional history.
In a condolence message issued on Tuesday, November 3, Koome conveyed her sympathies to Kihara's family, friends, former colleagues and everyone who benefited from his distinguished career in public service.
The Chief Justice, who spoke on behalf of the Judiciary fraternity, praised the late jurist for his leadership in strengthening judicial institutions and advancing reforms aimed at improving access to justice.
"Justice Kihara Kariuki was an accomplished jurist, an exemplary judicial leader and a dedicated public servant whose contributions to the administration of justice and the development of Kenya's legal institutions will remain an enduring part of our institutional history," she stated.
Kihara's judicial career included his appointment as a High Court judge in 2003 before his subsequent elevation to the Court of Appeal.
He later made history after becoming the first President of the Court of Appeal elected by fellow judges under the 2010 Constitution. He served in the position between 2013 and 2018.
During his tenure, Koome credited him with providing leadership that strengthened the court's institutional foundations while championing reforms to improve efficiency, accessibility and the decentralisation of judicial operations.
The Chief Justice also highlighted his contribution to judicial training, particularly his pioneering role as the founding Director of the Judiciary Training Institute, which later developed into the Kenya Judiciary Academy.
According to Koome, Kihara established important foundations for structured judicial education, professional development and capacity building for judges, judicial officers and other Judiciary staff.
Beyond the Judiciary, Kihara served as Kenya's Attorney General between 2018 and 2022, bringing his legal expertise to the position of the government's principal legal adviser.
Koome said his legacy would continue through the institutions he helped establish, reforms he championed and legal professionals who benefited from his leadership.