Kenya top judge Chief Justice Martha Koome pledges unwavering commitment to justice amid criticism

Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha Koome, the nation’s first female chief justice, is standing firm against allegations of corruption within the judiciary, asserting her dedication to upholding justice.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Justice Koome clarified that, throughout her 22-year judicial career, no one has attempted to bribe her, and if approached, she would take immediate action to have them arrested.

Responding to criticisms that she has not done enough to investigate allegations of judicial bribery, Justice Koome urged those with evidence to present it to security agencies or the judicial oversight commission.

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She believes these claims are aimed at undermining her credibility and distracting from her work. “I know who I am and I know what I have done and what I am going to do,” she stated, reinforcing her commitment to remain impartial.

Justice Koome also addressed the criticism she faces due to her gender, describing it as “total misogyny” and “chauvinism.” She highlighted her dedication to gender equality and her concern for the increasing violence against women in Kenya, a cause she is deeply passionate about. The chief justice finds it “completely disheartening” to see frequent reports of young women losing their lives to violence.

According to the Africa Data Hub, more than 500 women have fallen victim to femicide in Kenya between 2016 and 2024, with nearly 100 women and girls killed in the last three months alone. Justice Koome has made it her mission to address this troubling trend, aiming to provide greater access to justice for women across Kenya.

She has already established two courts specializing in sexual and gender-based crimes in Kisumu and Siaya counties, with plans to open a total of 11 throughout the country.

“We have a lot of hope in them because cases of gender-based violence must be given priority, so that the victim who was violated does not keep coming to court, year in year out,” she explained.