City lawyer Evans Monari has been eulogised as a free-spirited lover of life who loved his bottle and the saxophone.
In one of the videos that surfaced online, he is seen playing a saxophone.
Family spokesman Ken Monari confirmed on Tuesday that his brother had succumbed to a long illness he had battled at the Nairobi Hospital’s intensive care unit. He died on Monday night.
The lawyer had been battling multiple complications of his internal organs.
President Uhuru Kenyatta eulogised the lawyer as a dependable and a bright mind who solved cases he put his mind to with ease.
ODM leader Raila Odinga remembered him as a lovely and free-spirited man who covered his tough challenges with a warm smile.
"He has gone too soon, and our country is poorer with his departure. I wish peace and strength to his family. May he rest in peace," Raila said.
Chief Justice Martha Koome said the legal profession has lost one of its best advocates.
Monari rose to national prominence when he represented former police commissioner Hussein Ali when he faced crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court.
When Ali’s case collapsed, Monari became Uhuru’s advocate at the court.
Among other high-profile cases Monari handled was the protracted property battle of former Cabinet Minister Mbiyu Koinange's family.
The case, however, turned to haunt him in June 2019 when the Directorate of Criminal Investigations recommended that he be prosecuted due to the loss of Sh284 million from the vast estate of Koinange.
Also recommended for prosecution in connection with the case were Kandara MP Alice Wahome, Justry Nyaberi and Beatrice Kariuki.
Koinange's fourth wife, Eddah Wanjiru, had written to the DCI over the disappearance of the funds in question.
She claimed the four had moved the millions reserved for creditors despite a court order prohibiting it. They all denied any wrongdoing.
Monari was a partner at Coulson Harney Advocates, where he headed the dispute resolution and arbitration division.
Edited by A.N
