Former Kenyan Chief Justice Evans Gicheru is Dead

Kenya is mourning the death of retired Chief Justice Evan Gicheru, who passed away on Saturday morning.

His passing was announced by outgoing Chief Justice David Maraga, who did not provide further details regarding his death.

Gicheru served as the country's CJ for nine years from 2003 to 2011 having taken over from Bernard Chunga. He was succeeded by Dr. Willy Mutunga.

“The Kenya and Judiciary family have lost a steadfast public servant, a selfless professional and a humble human being," said Maraga in a statement.

"He brought honour to the office of the Chief Justice by ensuring that it became the indisputable custodian of integrity within the judiciary.” 

Maraga added that Gicheru will be remembered for “entrenching independence in the judiciary ending the tradition where the Judiciary took instructions from the Executive in the discharge of its daily functions.”

President Kenyatta has eulogized Gicheru as a towering legal mind and an accomplished judge whose contribution to the development of the legal sector will never be forgotten.

“Having worked in different places within the civil service, the late Chief Justice knew the importance of having an independent judiciary as a guarantor of national peace and harmony,” the President said.

“As a country we will forever be grateful for the judicial reforms Justice Gicheru pushed through during his successful tenure as the top judge. He brought freshness to the legal system and will be remembered for his relentless fight against impunity and corruption in the corridors of justice,” he added.

Gicheru joined the Judiciary in 1982 after a career as a District Officer in Wajir.

Observers say his tenure was tainted by his decision to swear-in retired President Mwai Kibaki at night in the aftermath of the disputed 2007 presidential election, an action that triggered Kenya’s worst post-election crisis.