Martha Karambu Koome
Chief Justice of Kenya (2021–present)
Biography
Martha Koome is a Kenyan lawyer and judge, the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of Kenya (appointed 2021). She previously served on the Court of Appeal (2012–2021) and on the High Court.
Key Achievements
First female Chief Justice of Kenya
Advocate for human and gender rights
1. Transformative Digital Reforms in the Judiciary
2. Advancing Access to Justice & Specialized Courts
Career History
1. Legal Advocate & Human Rights Defender (1986–2021) • Admitted to the bar in 1986 after graduating from the University of Nairobi and Kenya School of Law. • Practiced law for over 15 years with a focus on constitutional law, family law, and human rights. • Co-founded FIDA Kenya, advocating for women and children’s rights, and participated in drafting the 2010 Constitution. 2. Judicial Leaders
Judicial Leadership & Chief Justice (2003–present) • Appointed as a High Court Judge in 2003, later served in the Court of Appeal. • Became Kenya’s first female Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court in May 2021. • Spearheaded judicial reforms, digital transformation, and access-to-justice initiatives across Kenya.
Notable Controversies
1. Criticism by Former LSK Presidents Claiming Judicial Corruption & Bias In December 2023, four former presidents of the Law Society of Kenya—including Gibson Kamau Kuria, Paul Muite, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, and Nelson Havi—publicly called for her resignation.
2. Controversial Supreme Court “Gag Order” on Comments During Election Petitions In May 2022, Koome instituted a directive aimed at barring lawyers and litigants from publicly commenting on ongoing Presidential election petitions—warning that any such commentary could amount to contempt of court
Quick Facts
Contact Information
Social Media
Education
LL.B., University of Nairobi (1986)
LL.M. in International Law, University of London (2010)