Kenyans woke up to a shocking Boxing Day upon learning of the death of former Chief Justice Evans Gicheru .
His death was confirmed in a statement released to the media this morning by the outgoing Chief Justice David Maraga .
Maraga while announcing the demise of Gicheru described him as a steadfast public servant , a selfless professional and humble human being .
The statement did not however disclose more details as to what caused the death of Gicheru who was sworn in to the high office in 2003 after president Mwai Kibaki (now retired), took over the leadership in 2002 .
He became the longest serving Chief Justice after hitting a record eight years of continues service at the top .
Added Maraga in his one page statement” Justice Gicheru will forever be remembered for his role in entrenching judicial service independence in Kenya ending the time when Judiciary took instructions from the Executive,” .
Gicheru captured newspaper headlines after he controversially swore president KIbaki for a second term after the disputed 2007 general elections .
\He was at it again in 2014 after went missing while on holiday at the Abardare County Club for a whole night .
Back at his Kamuiru rural home in Kirinyaga County the residents described his as shining example whose light had been deemed by his demise .
Ironically it was right at his backyard where the local vigilantes executed over 100 Mungiki adherents at the ‘Hague”.in 2009 .
The extra judicial killings raised eyebrows after it emerged the local provincial administration was aware of the matter and was said to have given blessings to eradicate of the menace.
The vigilantes were engaged in a revenge mission after the Mungiki’s got involved in an rape orgy of girls and their mothers.
Gicheru upon retirement passed on the button to Dr Wily Mutunga who after his incomplete tenure handed over to Maraga.