Johnson Evan Gicheru was a respected Kenyan jurist who served as the 12th Chief Justice of Kenya and played a significant role in transforming the country’s Judiciary. He was appointed to the position by then-President Mwai Kibaki in February 2003 and served until his retirement on February 27, 2011.
Chief Justice Gicheru began his public service career as a District Officer, steadily working his way up the ranks. He later served as an administrative officer in the Office of the President before joining the Office of the Attorney General as a Senior State Counsel. In 1982, he was appointed a High Court judge and, six years later, in 1988, he was elevated to become a Court of Appeal judge.
As Chief Justice, Gicheru was a strong advocate for judicial independence within Kenya’s justice system. He was also credited with improving efficiency in court administration and steering significant reforms across the Judiciary.
CJ Gicheru's tenure marked an important transitional period as the Judiciary sought to regain public confidence after years of political interference.
One of the most controversial and widely remembered moments of his tenure occurred in December 2007 when he administered the presidential oath to Mwai Kibaki at night following a disputed general election.
The hurried swearing-in attracted significant political repercussions and was met with fierce criticism from sections of politicians and the general public.
The move triggered widespread politically motivated protests after the opposition, led by the late Raila Odinga, rejected the presidential results. The country descended into political and ethnic violence between late 2007 and early 2008. More than 1,000 people were killed and over 600,000 displaced, marking one of the darkest chapters in Kenya’s post-independence history.
Justice Gicheru died on December 25, 2020, at the age of 79.
His death was announced by then Chief Justice David Maraga.