Kibuchi passed away on 13 May at Kenyatta University Referral Hospital, where he had been admitted for treatment. His family confirmed that he succumbed to prostate cancer, a condition first diagnosed in 2018. Although he had briefly been declared cancer-free in 2022, the illness returned.
Anthony Kibuchi, the former Nairobi Provincial Police Officer known for his firm grip on law and order during one of Kenya’s most turbulent periods, has died aged 67.
“He fought hard,” said a family spokesman. “We had hope when he was declared in remission, but the cancer came back aggressively.”
In the days before his death, his family had publicly appealed for blood donations as doctors worked to stabilise his condition.
Kibuchi retired from the police service in 2013 and returned to his rural home in Kianugu, Kirinyaga County. There, he led a quieter life, though he remained vocal on the need for reform in Kenya’s police service.
“He believed in the idea of County Policing Authorities and often said they could help bridge the gap between police and communities,” said a close relative.
During his career, Kibuchi held key positions across the country, including as Provincial Police Officer in Nyanza and North Eastern regions. But it was his tenure in Nairobi, from 2009 to 2013, that defined his public legacy.
He was posted to the capital at a time when the feared Mungiki gang held much of the city in fear. Kibuchi’s crackdown was swift and unflinching, earning him both praise and criticism.
“He was tough but fair,” said a former colleague. “He didn’t tolerate nonsense, but he also understood people. If he raised his voice, he’d later apologise. That was his way.”
Kibuchi also drew attention in 2012 for a legal clash with then Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, in a dispute that sparked national debate over the balance of power between the judiciary and police.
To reporters, he was more than a senior cop—he was a dependable source.
“He had a journalist’s instincts,” said one Nairobi-based crime reporter. “If there was a breaking story, he’d call or send a message. He always wanted the public to know what was happening—and why.”
Friends and family remember him as a man who could be stern in uniform, but warm in conversation. He mentored young officers, and in retirement, often welcomed visitors with stories from his years in service.
“He cared deeply about justice and about people,” said a former subordinate. “He was the kind of boss who didn’t just give orders—he explained why things mattered.”
Kibuchi is survived by his widow and four children. His burial is set for 21 May in Kirinyaga County.
In his final years, he remained hopeful that the police service he once led would one day earn the full trust of the communities it serves. Whether that hope is fulfilled remains to be seen. But for many, his life stood as a step in that direction.
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