From the bench to sacked: How Justice Joseph Mutava’s career ended on a low

Justice Joseph Mbalu Mutava, a former High Court Judge, died at the age of 75 after suddenly falling ill at his rural home in Kithasyu, Makueni County. The cause of his sudden illness was unclear, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at Makindu Sub-County Hospital. His body was later transferred to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi. Mutava's career, which had once reached the pinnacle of Kenya's Judiciary, ended in controversy and ultimately resulted in his removal from the bench.

He was appointed to the High Court in August 2011, shortly after the promulgation of Kenya's 2010 Constitution. His appointment marked the culmination of a long legal career for a lawyer who had risen through the legal profession. However, his time on the bench was short-lived. Within a few years, complaints about his conduct led to a disciplinary process that eventually resulted in his suspension, a tribunal, and removal from office.

In 2016, a tribunal found that Mutava's conduct amounted to gross misconduct and recommended his removal. Despite contesting the findings in the Supreme Court, Mutava was ultimately unsuccessful, and the Supreme Court upheld the tribunal's decision in March 2019. This ruling brought an end to Mutava's judicial career and established an important precedent on judicial accountability and the limits of judicial power.

Despite his removal from the bench, Mutava continued to practice law privately. His name resurfaced in 2026 when he was arrested alongside two others in connection with allegations of attempting to influence a court matter.