The family of Kibwezi East Member of Parliament Hon. Jessica Nduku Mbalu has been plunged into mourning following the death of her husband, Justice Joseph Mbalu Mutava, a former Judge of the High Court of Kenya.

The former judge died suddenly after reportedly falling ill on Friday night, despite having been in good health earlier in the day.

According to the family, Mutava was full of life on Friday and had attended the burial ceremony of a close family friend. He later fell ill unexpectedly that night.

His death was confirmed by family members and former Machakos Senator and Parliamentary Service Commission Commissioner Johnson Muthama, who described Mutava as a long-time family friend.

Muthama expressed his grief following the death of the former judge, who was married to the Kibwezi East MP.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my long-time family friend, Former High Court Judge Justice Joseph Mbalu Mutava, husband to Kibwezi East MP Hon. Jessica Nduku Mbalu,” Muthama said.

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Mutava’s body was later transferred to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi as the family began making arrangements for his final rites.

Justice Mutava was appointed a Judge of the High Court on August 23, 2011, following a competitive recruitment process recommended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

His judicial career, however, was cut short following a tribunal investigation into allegations of gross misconduct linked to his handling of the Sh5.8 billion Goldenberg scandal case involving businessman Kamlesh Pattni.

The tribunal, chaired by then Chief Justice David Maraga, found Mutava guilty of gross misconduct on six allegations in September 2016 and recommended his removal from office.

Mutava challenged the tribunal’s decision, but the Supreme Court in March 2019 upheld the decision, paving the way for his removal from the High Court bench.

His death marks the end of the life of a prominent legal practitioner whose tenure on the High Court bench was among the shortest in Kenya’s judicial history.

The death has left the family, friends, legal fraternity and political leaders mourning the former jurist.

Messages of condolence are expected to continue pouring in for Hon. Jessica Mbalu and her family as preparations for Mutava’s funeral get underway.

Safi News extends its condolences to Hon. Jessica Mbalu, her family, relatives and friends during this difficult period.