Former High Court Judge Justice Joseph Mbalu Mutava has died after falling ill suddenly on the night of August 21.
Justice Mutava died on the morning of August 22, while receiving medical attention at Makindu Orthopedic and Trauma Hospital in Makueni County.
According to the family, the former judge had been in good health and had attended the burial ceremony of a close friend before he suddenly fell ill later that night.
He was subsequently rushed to hospital for treatment but died while receiving medical attention.
Justice Mbalu Mutava was the husband of Kibwezi East Member of Parliament Jessica Mbalu.
Commissioner of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Johnson Nduya Muthama has mourned the former judge as a long-time family friend.
In a message shared on August 22, Muthama expressed his sadness following Mutava’s death and extended his condolences to Jessica Mbalu and her family.
Muthama described the late judge as a close family friend and offered his support to the Kibwezi East MP as she comes to terms with the loss of her husband.
He prayed for comfort and strength for Jessica, her family and loved ones as they mourned the former judge.
“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.On behalf of my family, I extend my heartfelt condolences to our dear friend, Hon. Jessica Mbalu, on the painful loss of your beloved husband. May God comfort you, your family and loved ones during this difficult time, and grant you strength to bear this great loss,” wrote Muthama.
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has also mourned the death of former High Court Judge Justice Joseph Mbalu Mutava, describing him as a man who served Kenya with honor and integrity.
In a condolence message on August 22, Kalonzo extended his sympathies to Kibwezi East MP Jessica Mbalu, her children and the wider Mbalu family, saying Mutava leaves behind a legacy of service in the Judiciary.
“Justice Mutava served our nation with honor, integrity and quiet distinction. He leaves behind a legacy of service in our Judiciary,” Kalonzo said.
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Justice Mbalu Mutava Appointment to the High Court and Judicial Career
The death of Justice Mutava comes years after his judicial career ended following proceedings under Article 168 of the Constitution.
Justice Joseph Mbalu Mutava was a lawyer and former High Court judge appointed to the Bench in August 2011, joining the first group of judges appointed under the constitutional reforms following the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
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).
He was later removed from office following an investigation by a tribunal established under Article 168 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court in 2019 upheld the tribunal’s recommendation for his removal.
The High Court initially ruled in his favor in February 2014, declaring the tribunal proceedings void after finding that two members of the tribunal had been appointed outside the constitutional 14-day period.
The Court of Appeal later overturned that decision and held that the tribunal was properly constituted and could proceed with its mandate.
Profile of Mbalu Mutava’s Wife, Jessica Mbalu
Jessica Nduku Kiko Mbalu is the Member of Parliament for Kibwezi East Constituency in Makueni County, a position she has held since March 2013. She is a member of the Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) and is currently serving in the 13th Parliament.
Mbalu has represented Kibwezi East in the National Assembly since 2013, having been elected for the first time in that year’s general election. Parliament’s official profile lists her employment history as beginning with her election to the National Assembly in March 2013 and continuing to date.
According to Parliament, Mbalu attended Muvuti Secondary School, where she completed her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education between 1990 and 1993.
She later studied at Kenya Polytechnic, obtaining a Certificate in Computer Studies in 1994 and a Certified Public Accountant qualification in 1996.
Mbalu proceeded to the University of Nairobi, where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance between 2003 and 2006. She later obtained a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the same university between 2006 and 2008.
Parliament also states that she is pursuing a PhD at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Before joining Parliament, Mbalu worked in the finance and business sectors.
She began her professional career as an Accounts Assistant at Hotel Amenities (East Africa) Limited, where she worked from 1998 to 2003.
She then joined Jesmut Investments Limited as a Finance and Marketing Officer, serving from 2003 to 2009.
In 2009, she moved to Prime Bank Limited, where she worked as a Cash Officer until 2010.
Mbalu subsequently worked as a Finance Consultant at the Water Services Trust Fund from 2010 to July 2012. During the same period, she also served as a part-time lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa from 2010 to 2012.
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