Martha Koome

DATE OF BIRTH


1960

GENDER


Female

OCCUPATION


Lawyer, Judge, Chief Justice

FAMILY


Married with three children

BIOGRAPHY


Justice Koome was appointed the Chief Justice in May 21, 2021, becoming the fifteenth Chief Justice of the Republic and first woman to hold the office.

Prior to her appointment, she was a Judge of Appeal having been appointed in 2012 where she served in Nairobi, Nyeri and Malindi.

She also served as a High Court Judge (2003 – 2011).

She was the Managing Partner at Martha Koome & Company Advocates (1993 -2003) and Legal Associate at Mathenge & Muchemi Advocates (1988 – 1992).

She was also the chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya).

Judge Koome served as the Chairperson of the National Council on the Administration of Justice special taskforce on children matters which reviewed the Children’s Act.
Justice Koome was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1987. In 2012, she became the first judge to opt for public sessions during her scrutiny by the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board.

Among her controversial decisions in the Judiciary was the 2017 ruling in which the Court of Appeal bench set aside a High Court decision that found the appointment of returning officers for the October 26, 2017 repeat presidential election to be illegal. The other judges in that bench were Fatuma Sichale, and Erastus Githinji.

Still at the Court of Appeal, in 2019 she was part of a five-judge bench that threw out an appeal by the government against High Court’s decision to order for registration of an of LGBT organization.

At the Supreme Court, she dealt with a landmark case involving President Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid to amend the Constitution –Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

In a judgment rendered in March 2022 she rejected the application of the basic structure doctrine in Kenya. She also stated that President cannot initiate a Constitutional amendment process through the popular initiative.

Latest articles on Martha Koome:

  1. Nine Kenyans listed among 100 most influential African women

    First Daughter Charlene Ruto among those recognised as working to inspire the continent.

  2. 2023: When Kenya prioritised SGBV cases

    Country rolled out red carpet for survivors, setting gold standard for management of such cases

    New Content Item (3)
  3. Why judge wants children to attend chiefs’ barazas

    Justice Matheka: When young ones are ignorant of their rights they can’t report abuse to authorities.

  4. Meet five young changemakers in the GBV war

    Youthful online activists rally for change in hospitals, Judiciary and Police units

  5. The path to effective legislation on gender equality

    Lawmaking should be thorough to ensure inclusivity and compliance with ratified treaties.

  6. PREMIUM Day DP Gachagua took his own oath

    In a wide-ranging interview, outgoing Chief Registrar of the Judiciary talks about the debacle while swearing in Gachagua and why she wants to face her gold scam accusers in court.

  7. Judiciary revenue up 10pc to Sh2.6bn as fines, fees rise

    The funds the Judiciary collects are transferred to the exchequer Central Bank account.

  8. Patriarchy has no room in the 21st Century Kenya

    Kawira’s impeachment motion was nothing but an abuse to women’s leadership and the pro-women electorate.

  9. Involve indigenous women in climate action, say activists

    Conference says could lure them into adopting renewable energy for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, thus limiting global temperature rise.

  10. CJ Koome sets up three High Courts - Kibera, Thika and Nyandarua

    The new establishment brings the total number of High Court stations in the country to 49.

    CJ Martha Koome in Samburu
  11. Boost for GBV war as Mombasa gets its first safe house

    Governor Nassir and CJ Koome decry the rise in gender-based violence, terming it a silent epidemic.

  12. Finance Act: Treasury CS bid to lift freeze order flops

    High Court judge Mugure Thande stopped the Treasury from implementing the Act on June 30, 2023.

    Njuguna Ndungu
  13. CJ Martha Koome picks judges to hear Finance Act case

    On the bench are Justice David Majanja, Justice Lawrence Mogambi and Justice Christine Meoli.

    Justice David Majanja.
  14. Koome: Don't leave boys behind on empowerment journey

    Chief Justice says society is forgetting that boys are also vulnerable and needy.

  15. Let’s end the horror of defilement

    How appalling that in this day and age, a parent can accept as little as Sh10,000 and pretend to forgive a person who has defiled a young girl and conceal the crime.

  16. Kenya gets first digital sex offender registry

    The automated registry will be freely accessed by judicial officers.

    Martha Koome
  17. CJ Koome attends Madaraka fete in new car after Maraga rant

    The 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport costs up to Sh20 million $147,364.

  18. Death robs 'village of judges' of a distinguished jurist

    For Kenya's Supreme Court judge, Justice William Ouko, the late Hayanga was a colleague and mentor.

  19. Meru women call for enhanced war on SGBV, drug abuse

    Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation also appeals to the county to increase allocation to the war on teenage pregnancies.

  20. Justice Murgor: Courts to expedite SGBV cases

    Judge says plans are at an advanced stage to set up more specialised courts across Kenya for swift justice.