Meet Kenya’s First Female Chief Justice: Martha Koome

Meet Kenya’s First Female Chief Justice: Martha Koome

On Wednesday, 12th May 2021, the National Assembly approved Lady Justice Martha Koome for the position of Chief Justice. This followed her earlier recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission, a decision that was unanimous.

She was formally appointed by the President on Wednesday 19th May 2021.

Justice Martha Koome was sworn in on Friday, 21st May 2021. She is now the first female Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya. 

Chief Justice Martha Koome being sworn in at State House Nairobi | Source: PSCU

Having practiced law for 33 years, Lady Justice Koome was one of the 10 applicants interviewed to succeed David Maraga. Earlier, 13 applications had been received. 

Early Life and Education

Born Martha Karambu in 1960 in Kithiu, Meru County

Lady Justice Koome pursued her law degree at the University of Nairobi and graduated in 1986. She proceeded to the Kenya School of Law the following year.

Details about her early life are scanty, though it is revealed that she is a daughter to subsistence farmers.

She is married to Koome Kiragu with whom they have 3 children who are grown up.

Law Practice

In 1986, Justice Koome started practicing law at Mathenge and Muchemi Advocates. This was following her admittance to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, in the same year. 

She would serve at the law firm until 1993 when she started her private legal practice.

In the same year, Lady Justice Koome was elected as a council member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). She served in the society until 1996. During this time, she was part of the constitutional review process that led to the Bomas Draft Constitution. 

Justice Koome has specialized in family law and is an acclaimed defender of Human and Gender Rights. She has particularly championed women’s rights and children’s welfare. 

“Children have no voice, so I choose to speak for them because I recognise they are our bridge to the future and unless we nurture them, our future will be precarious. I recognise that children are vulnerable due to their age.

I also recognise when they are in conflict with the law or they are victims of offences, it is because of failure of a system. The society, family or community have failed them. That makes children victims.”

The Law Practitioner also co-founded the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya, which offers free legal advice to women.

In 2010, Lady Justice Martha Koome graduated with a Master’s Degree (LLM) in Public International Law from the University of London. She would later serve as a judge in the Court of Appeal, as well as chair the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association.

Clearly, Lady Justice Martha Koome is a seasoned legal officer and at C.O.K we are happy to see history being made. 

Relations between the Executive and the Judiciary have been frosty since the tightly contested 2017 General Election. Will the Lady Justice manage to mend the ties between the two arms of government?

Let us know in the comments and as always, keep it C.O.K.

C.O.K Correspondent

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