Lady Justice Martha Karambu Koome of the Court of Appeal is Kenya’s new Chief Justice as unanimously decided by the Judicial Service Commission. Described as highly efficient, accessible and friendlier, this article looks into her biography highlighting her career journey, background and personal life.
Martha Koome Age and Place of Birth
Lady Justice Koome hails from Meru where she was raised and began her schooling.
Martha Koome Education Background
Lady Justice Koome’s alma mater is the University of London where she pursued a master’s program in Public International Law. She attained her undergraduate and post graduate certifications in Kenya at the University of Nairobi and Kenya School of Law respectively.
Martha Koome Career Journey
Having an extensive thirty-two-year experience in the legal practice, Martha Koome has been of much service to the profession. Her core areas of practice thus far have been in human rights for children, women and those accused on political grounds. She is particularly passionate about children rights and has been at the forefront championing for the children who find themselves on the wrong side of the law, a factor that won her runners-up position in the UN in Kenya Person of the Year in 2020.
In this light, she has continuously ensured that cases involving accused children are heard as soon as possible, chaired a special task-force that would review the Children’s Act fitting it to prevailing constitutional provisions, chartering the course on handling child cases amidst the Coronavirus pandemic and providing computers in remand homes for virtual case hearing.
Read: Justice Said Juma Chitembwe Biography, Age, Career, Net Worth, Family
Her career journey has had her practice both privately and in public office. In her private practice she ran a successful firm and specialized in gender rights practice. She has always clarified her position as one of those committed to the security of human rights regardless of situation. Martha Koome has previously served as the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association’s chairperson accredited to her exemplary leadership and legal prowess.
Her legal career continues to flourish with her new victory in heading Kenya’s legal system in the position of Chief Justice. She is set to be the first lady president holding much promise and admiration to younger girls and women in the country and beyond.
On an interview with the Business Daily, Lady Justice Koome said:
“Children have no voice, so I choose to speak for them because I recognize they are our bridge to the future and unless we nurture them, our future will be precarious. I recognize that children are vulnerable due to their age.
I also recognize when they are in conflict with the law or they are victims of offenses, it is because of failure of a system. The society, family or community have failed them. That makes children victims.”
| Real Name | Martha Karambu Koome |
| Nickname | Karambu |
| Age | 62 years old as of 2022 |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Real Father | Unknown |
| Mother | Unknown |
| Tribe | Ameru |
| Education Level | Master’s Degree |
| Place of Birth | Meru, Kenya |
| Year of Birth | 1960 |
| Religion | Christian |
| Husband Name | Koome Kiragu |
| Children | 3 Children |
| Career/Profession | Judge/Lawmaker |
| Years Active | 1989 to date |
| Net Worth | Kshs. 150 Million |
