Martha Koome is the current Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya. She is the first woman to hold the office of the Chief Justice since the Kenyan Judiciary was established. She is the 15th Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya since independence. She was born on 3rd June 1960 currently 65 years old.
Martha Koome Biography
| Full Names: | Martha Karambu Koome |
| Known as: | Martha Koome |
| Date of Birth: | 3rd June 1960 |
| Age: | (65 Years Old) |
| Place of Birth: | Kithui Village; Meru County |
| Place of Growth: | Meru – Kenya |
| Profession: | Legal Advocate, Judge |
Martha Koome Family
Martha Koome was raised in a polygamous family of 18 Children.
She has been married for over 37 years.
She is a mother of three children.
Martha Koome Education
Martha Koome attended Mwiteria Primary School located in Meru County.
Koome then attended Chuka Commercial Secondary School in Tharaka-Nithi County.
She later went to Mugoiri Girls High School located in Muranga County, where she acquired her A levels education.
Koome then proceeded to the University of Nairobi, where she did a Bachelor’s degree in Law.
She later graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1986.
In 1987, Koome did a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and graduated the same year (1987).
She later went to the University of London, where she pursued a Master’s degree of Law in Public International Law.
Koome later graduated from the University of London in 2010.
Martha Koome Law Career Journey
Martha Koome was a legal associate at Mathenge and Muchemi Advocates from 1988 to 1992.
She later started her own law firm named Martha Koome and Co. Advocates, where she was the Managing Partner from the year 1993 to 2003.
Koome distinguished herself as a human rights defender precisely gender rights.
She was also a council member in the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) from 1993 to 1996 and a commissioner of the African Union (AU) for five years.
Koome is an accredited trainer by the Commonwealth Secretariat, as well as the International Institute for Justice on Human Rights.
She is also associated with the 2010 Constitution of Kenya. As she participated in all major discussions & conferences up to when it was promulgated in 2010.
Martha Koome Judiciary
Martha Koome joined the Judiciary in 2003, she was appointed as the Judge of the High Court of Kenya by the late former president; Emilio Mwai Kibaki.
She served from 2003 to 2011 as;
- The head of the land and environment division.
- The head of the commercial and family division.
- The Resident Judge in the High Courts of Nakuru and Kitale.
Koome then took the position as the Judge of the Court of Appeal from 2012 to 2021.
Martha Koome Chief Justice
Martha Koome was among 10 candidates shortlisted for the position of Chief Justice in 2021.
The winner would succeed retired Chief Justice: David Kenani Maraga.
The vetting process was held on 14th April 2021 and lasted for close to 6 hours.
After nearly 2 weeks, she was nominated by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Former President, then President, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta later endorsed her nomination, followed by a recommendation of her approval by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), which later reported to the Parliament that it was satisfied with the process and that she is fit to hold the office.
The Parliament later approved her nomination.
Koome was then appointed as Chief Justice by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta on 19th May 2021.
She was sworn in as the Chief Justice on 21st May 2021 at State House in Nairobi.
Koome is the first female Chief Justice in Kenyan history.
She is also the 15th Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya since independence.
She is the 3rd Chief Justice of Kenya under the 2010 constitution.
- Willy Munyoki Mutunga – (20/6/2011 – 16/6/2016)
- David Kenani Maraga – (19/11/2016 – 12/1/2021)
- Martha Karambu Koome – (21/5/2021 – Present)
Other Information
She won the UN runner-up awards as the UN Person of the Year in 2020, in recognition of her advocacy for rights of children in conflict of the law as well as child victims.
She has authored a book on gender based violence, which is used as a bench book to train judges & magistrates in East Africa.
Martha Koome (Chief Justice) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who is Martha Koome?
Martha Koome is the current Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya
- What is Martha Koome's full name?
Martha Koome’s full name is Martha Karambu Koome.
- How old is Martha Koome?
Martha Koome is currently 65 Years Old.
- When was Martha Koome born?
Martha Koome was born on 3rd June 1960.
- How many children does Martha Koome have?
Martha Koome is a mother to three children.
- Which primary school did Martha Koome attend?
Martha Koome attended Mwiteria Primary School located in Meru County.
- Which Secondary School did Martha Koome attend?
Martha Koome first attended Chuka Commercial Secondary School in Tharaka-Nithi County.
She later attended Mugoiri Girls High School located in Muranga County, where she acquired her A levels education.
- Which University did Martha Koome attend?
Martha Koome first attended the University of Nairobi, where she did a Bachelor’s degree in Law and graduated in 1996.
She later attended the University of London, where she pursued a Master’s degree of Law in Public International Law and graduated in 2010.
- When did Martha Koome join the Judiciary?
Martha Koome joined the Judiciary in 2003, she was appointed as the Judge of the High Court of Kenya by the late former president; Emilio Mwai Kibaki.
- When was Martha Koome sworn in as Chief Justice?
Martha Koome was sworn in as the Chief Justice on 21st May 2021 at State House in Nairobi.
- Is Martha Koome the first female Chief Justice of Kenya?
Yes, Martha Koome is the first female Chief Justice in Kenyan history.
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External Sources
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