In brief
In an outspoken defense against recent corruption allegations, Kenya’s first female chief justice Martha Koome asserts that she has never been bribed during her judicial career and calls for accountability from her accusers. Amid rising violence against women, she pledges to enhance justice access through specialized courts.
In a bold stance against recent allegations of corruption in Kenya's judiciary, Chief Justice Martha Koome has stated unequivocally that she has never faced a bribe in her 22 years of service. Speaking to the BBC, Koome emphasized that any such approaches would have led her to notify the authorities, reflecting her commitment to integrity within the judicial system.Despite the recent surge in accusations against the judiciary, Koome urged critics to bring concrete evidence to the appropriate security measures or judicial oversight bodies, branding these allegations as attempts to undermine her credibility. She asserted that these attacks stem from a deep-rooted misogyny and chauvinism in society, stating, "It is total misogyny. It is total chauvinism."Koome's tenure as chief justice has not been without challenges. She highlighted the ongoing struggle against sexual and gender-based violence in Kenya, which has witnessed alarming rates of violence against women. In the past three months alone, police reported nearly 100 women and girls killed, with femicide statistics revealing over 500 victims between 2016 and 2024.Determined to tackle this grave issue, Justice Koome announced her initiative to establish specialized courts for sexual and gender-based crimes throughout the country, with two already functioning in Kisumu and Siaya counties. "Cases of gender-based violence must be given priority," she asserted, as she envisions a justice system that swiftly addresses the plight of victims.Koome's unwavering resolve to not only defend her position but also advocate for women's rights in Kenya is a influential aspect of her leadership as chief justice. Her calls for action against gendered violence redefine the judicial landscape in a nation where corruption and misogyny have historically posed significant hurdles.
