The Trials of Chief Justice Martha Koome
She formally addressed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, expressing her dissatisfaction with the development.
Chief Justice Martha Koome. Photo/Martha Koome.
By Joy Jeelagat
Chief Justice Martha Koome has been at the center of several significant events shaping Kenya’s judiciary and political landscape.
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, thirteen lawyers filed a petition seeking her removal, along with six Supreme Court judges, citing gross misconduct for barring them from appearing before the Supreme Court.
In January 2025, Chief Justice Koome raised concerns over the withdrawal of her security, describing it as an act that undermined judicial independence and threatened institutional integrity.
She formally addressed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, expressing her dissatisfaction with the development.
Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi countered her claims, stating that CJ Koome had been assigned 32 police officers for her security.
He argued that the temporary recall of some officers for training and promotion did not equate to a withdrawal. However, the Judiciary dismissed Havi’s assertions as misleading and deceptive.
Following the controversy, the National Police Service (NPS) clarified that some officers had been promoted or transferred to other stations. IG Kanja assured that replacements had been assigned, attributing the perceived security lapse to poor coordination.
During the Annual Human Rights Summit in Nairobi in December 2024, CJ Koome revealed that she had been subjected to cyberbullying and gender-based violence online, aimed at intimidating and discrediting her leadership.
Throughout her tenure, Chief Justice Koome has staunchly defended judicial independence. Responding to presidential criticism in November 2024, she reiterated that judges and magistrates must adjudicate cases without external influence.
In January 2024, amid allegations of corruption within the judiciary, Koome urged critics to present credible evidence, emphasizing that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) was fully prepared to address any misconduct.
In late 2023, President William Ruto met with Chief Justice Koome in an effort to de-escalate tensions between the executive and the judiciary. The meeting was viewed by some, including opposition leader Raila Odinga, as a potential threat to judicial autonomy.
Despite these challenges, CJ Koome remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring that the judiciary remains an independent and impartial institution serving the interests of justice in Kenya.
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