Former Chief Justice Evan Gicheru is dead

Retired Chief Justice Evan Gicheru is dead.

His demise was announced on Saturday morning by Chief Justice David Maraga, who eulogised Justice Gicheru as a steadfast public servant, a selfless professional, and humble human being.

“I am deeply saddened to announce the demise of Retired Chief Justice Evans Gichcru which occurred this morning. The Kenya and Judiciary family have lost a steadfast public servant, a selfless professional, and humble human being,” said Maraga.

Justice Gicheru had a lengthy career in the public service, which started when he was appointed a District Officer in Wajir.

He later worked as a Senior State Counsel in the Office of the Attorney-General and as an administrative officer in the Office of the President, before joining the Judiciary as a Judge of the High Court in 1982.

He was appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal six years later, in 1988, and Chief Justice on February 21, 2003, a position he held until his retirement in February 2011.

“Justice Gicheru will forever be remembered for his role in entrenching judicial independence in Kenya, ending the tradition where the Judiciary took instructions from the Executive in the discharge of its daily functions. He brought honour to the office of the Chief Justice by ensuring that it became the indisputable custodian of integrity within the Judiciary,” added Maraga.