Day CJ Gicheru Disappeared Into A Forest, Triggering Frenetic Police Search
On the first week of New Year 2014, retired Chief Justice Evan Gicheru who died yesterday went to the Aberdare Country Club in Nyeri. He was in the company of his family and was looking forward to a quiet start to the year.
The Country Club is perched on one of the hills of the Aberdare Highlands. It was crafted from an old colonial house called ‘The Steep’, expanded to accommodate more bush, game, and a motley of leisure activities including swimming, golf and tennis.
Gicheru settled down for a cup of tea. Afterwards, he decided to take a walk across the sprawling compound and into the nature trail. He was not seen again for the next 12 or so hours.
Gicheru’s disappearance threw his family and friends into a state of confusion. It also triggered a swift police response coordinated from Vigilance House, Nairobi. A contingent of police and forest rangers were dispatched to search for him while a Kenya Wildlife Service chopper scanned the ground from overhead.
But the search in the darkness proved futile. The following morning, they found the former CJ safe, resting at one spot in the forest. He was given first aid at the scene before being airlifted to Nairobi Hospital.
CJ Gicheru was said to be diabetic. He died yesterday at the age of 79.
As Kenya’s longest CJ, Gicheru served from 2003 to 2011. He replaced Bernard Chunga.
Tributes
In his tribute, former President Mwai Kibaki said Gicheru was a “consummate public servant whose integrity, sense of rectitude and assiduousness were unsurpassed”.
“The late Justice Gicheru leaves behind a richly bedecked legacy of service to the public wrought in humility and selflessness. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he added.
On his part, President Uhuru Kenyatta said, “It is sad that we have lost one of the greatest legal minds we have had in our country. Justice Gicheru worked tirelessly during his time at the helm of the Judiciary to ensure that the country’s democracy continued to thrive.” d.
The late Gicheru will be laid to rest on Thursday, December 31.
On the first week of New Year 2014, retired Chief Justice Evan Gicheru who died yesterday went to the Aberdare Country Club in Nyeri. He was in the company of his family and was looking forward to a quiet start to the year.
The Country Club is perched on one of the hills of the Aberdare Highlands. It was crafted from an old colonial house called ‘The Steep’, expanded to accommodate more bush, game, and a motley of leisure activities including swimming, golf and tennis.
Gicheru settled down for a cup of tea. Afterwards, he decided to take a walk across the sprawling compound and into the nature trail. He was not seen again for the next 12 or so hours.
Gicheru’s disappearance threw his family and friends into a state of confusion. It also triggered a swift police response coordinated from Vigilance House, Nairobi. A contingent of police and forest rangers were dispatched to search for him while a Kenya Wildlife Service chopper scanned the ground from overhead.
But the search in the darkness proved futile. The following morning, they found the former CJ safe, resting at one spot in the forest. He was given first aid at the scene before being airlifted to Nairobi Hospital.
CJ Gicheru was said to be diabetic. He died yesterday at the age of 79.
As Kenya’s longest CJ, Gicheru served from 2003 to 2011. He replaced Bernard Chunga.
Tributes
In his tribute, former President Mwai Kibaki said Gicheru was a “consummate public servant whose integrity, sense of rectitude and assiduousness were unsurpassed”.
“The late Justice Gicheru leaves behind a richly bedecked legacy of service to the public wrought in humility and selflessness. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he added.
On his part, President Uhuru Kenyatta said, “It is sad that we have lost one of the greatest legal minds we have had in our country. Justice Gicheru worked tirelessly during his time at the helm of the Judiciary to ensure that the country’s democracy continued to thrive.” d.
The late Gicheru will be laid to rest on Thursday, December 31.