CJ Martha Karambu Koome is a skilled Kenyan human rights defender, advocate, and former Court of Appeal Judge. She is a veteran lawyer who has worked in almost all ranks of the judiciary. A recent nomination and confirmation into the office of Chief Justice is a deserved promotion. Lady Justice Martha Koome biography provides untold facts about her admirable life story.
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The recently held CJ interviews ended with Justice Koome the winner. She emerged top, beating nine other candidates in the contest. Among those shortlisted were three ladies and seven males. Koome is now a first time female CJ after a thorough vetting process. Her appointment came shortly after David Maraga’s retirement from the position.
Chief Justice Martha Koome profiles summary
| Real name | Martha Karambu Koome |
| Birthplace | Kithiu Village, Meru |
| Age (2023) | 63 years (1960) |
| Ethnicity | Ameru tribe |
| County | Meru (Kenya) |
| Career | Lawyer, Judge |
| Husband | Koome Kiragu |
| Children | 3 |
| Years active | Since 1987 |
Martha Karambu Koome is famous for becoming the first female Chief Justice in Kenya after emerging top pick in the list of Judicial Service Commission shortlisted candidates 2021.
Chief Justice Martha Koome biography with pictures
Hon Martha is daughter of a humble family turned prosperous through commitment and hard work.
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A successful professional career in law practises continues to cement her legacy in the chambers of justice.
Who is CJ Martha Koome?
Chief Justice Martha Karambu Koome is a long serving member of the Judiciary Service Commission.
Mrs Koome succeeded the retired CJ David Maraga as a judiciary boss after confirmation by Members of Parliament and President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta.
How old is Chief Justice Martha Koome?
Justice Martha Karambu Koome age is 63 years as of 2023. The lady chief justice was born in 1960 within Kithiu village in Meru County.
There is, however, no sufficient info on Martha Koome date of birth – born month and day.
The searching for Justice Koome’s birthday is ongoing.
Childhood and early life experiences
The female CJ has confirmed growing up in a deprived home. Martha Koome recalls suffering extreme financial and social challenges, even worse being a girl.
Justice Martha Koome is on record for narrating how she managed to overcome the blunt of poverty with an education.
Chief Justice Martha Koome tribe and nationality
Chief Justice Martha Karambu Koome, is of the Ameru tribe also called Meru ethnicity.
Furthermore, the nationality of Martha Koome is Kenyan. She is fluent in Ameru language as well as Swahili and English.
CJ Martha Koome education background
Excellent KCSE grades from Mugoiri Girls High School qualified Martha Koome into the University of Nairobi for a Bachelor of Law degree.
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In 1986, Mrs Koome graduated from UoN with exemplary scores on her certificate.
The determined Koome proceeded to join the Kenya School of Law in 1987. She later attained a Postgraduate Diploma in law from KSL.
In 2010, Martha Koome graduated from the University of London with a Masters’ Degree (LL.M), having majored in Public International Law.
In summary, Martha Koome is an academic genius with an LL.M from the University of London and an LL.B from the University of Nairobi.
CJ Martha Koome family tree and history
Chief Justice Koome traces her ancestry in Kithiu Village within Meru County. She comes from a supportive family of a loving husband, children, and relatives.
Autobiography of Martha Koome parents and siblings
CJ Martha describes herself as a village girl who grew under the care of industrious peasant farmers.
She belongs to a family of two wives and 18 children. For this reason, there were little resources for her schooling and daily bread.
Martha has a role model elder sister called Rosemary Kathure. Other figureheads in her life include Dr Jenifer Riria and Prof Leah Marangu.
Above all, Justice Martha Koome biography reveals that she looks up to her mother for inspiration.
Chief Justice Martha Koome husband name and photos
CJ Martha Koome married her childhood boyfriend lover, Koome Kiragu. The couple is often touring the world with humanitarian courses at heart.
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Mr Koome Kiragu and his wife Martha walked down the aisle early in life.
There are scarce highlights and photos from their wedding and exchanging of vows.
Who is Martha Koome husband Koome Kiragu?
Mr Koome Kiragu biography shows that he is an executive member within the United States based Habitat for Humanity.
Being the only African member within the organization did not stop Kiragu from becoming the board’s governing executive in 2017.
Children of Martha Koome and husband Kiragu
Martha Koome’s three children are all adults now pursuing different career interests away from their parents.
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Growing up in a low income family motivated Martha to prepare a better life for her children.
Justice Martha Koome CV pdf on career history
CJ Martha is a down to earth legal talent with 33 years of experience in the practice of law.
She is particularly vocal on matters women rights and justice for all.
The lady justice joined the bar in 1987, immediately after graduating from the Kenya School of Law with a postgraduate diploma.
Martha Koome & Co Advocates
In 1993, she established Martha Koome & Co Advocates. Martha served as a Managing Director in the firm until 2003.
Working in her private legal firm provided an opportunity of becoming a human rights defender.
Female justice Martha Koome biography shows that she has since fought to wipe out gender based discrimination laws.
As a result, Martha became chair within the Federation of Kenya Women Lawyers.
Council member in the Law Society of Kenya
In 1993, Justice Martha became a Law Society of Kenya council member, she served until 1996.
Serving in the scary era of president Moi was particularly difficult, but she managed to render justice anyway.
High Court judge appointment by Mwai Kibaki
In 2003, the former head of state, Mwai Kibaki, appointed Martha Koome as judge in the High Court.
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CJ Martha Koome moved into the court of appeal in 2011. She has been serving in different legal stations including Nakuru Law Courts.
Justice Martha Koome interview live
Prof Olive Mugenda confirmed the appointment of Martha Koome into the position of CJ.
She spoke of how the lady justice won the unanimous voting of panellist JSC officials.
Her appointment was later confirmed by parliament and President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 19, 2021.
Full list of JSC shortlisted candidates 2021 Kenya
Some of those who lost in the recently held JSC interviews came out unhappy.
Firstly, because the commission did not release their performance results.
Secondly, considering the JSC did not clarified on the criteria used to appoint Judge Martha Koome. Those who lost include;
- Alice Yano
- Fred Ngatia
- Philip Murgor
- Dr Wekesa Moni
- Justice Marete Njagi
- Justice Nduma Nderi
- Hon Justice William Ouko
- Prof Patricia Kameri Mbote
- Justice Said Juma Chitembwe
Katiba Institute and Prof Makau Mutua petitioned to have the scores of defeated candidates released to the public. It all ended in vain.
Lady Martha Koome Chief Justice Kenya 2021
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) declared Justice Martha Koome a Chief Justice elect April 27, 2021.
And now, the world is ongoing with celebrations on her appoint as first woman Chief Justice in Kenya.
Martha Koome vetting process by the Members of Parliament
Members of Parliament gathered views from Kenyans ahead of Martha Koome’s vetting exercise scheduled May 13, 2021.
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A live vetting process displayed the confident Martha Koome wrestling to win the position of Chief Justice.
She expressed certainty in her appointment as a solution for a long lived standoff between the Executive, Judiciary, and legislative arms of the government of Kenya.
Meanwhile, President Kenyatta is on record for directing the house to speed the vetting process.
President Uhuru appoints Martha Koome as new Chief Justice
Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta appointed CJ Martha Koome within two hours following a unanimous parliamentary approval.
His swift appointment has left a section of Kenyans thinking twice with many applauding him for speeding up the process.
How long does a chief justice serve in Kenya?
The Chief Justice of Kenya can only hold the office for a maximum of 10 years or until retirement.
In addition, the retirement age of a judge in Kenya is 70 years.
How much does a Chief Justice earn in Kenya?
The president of the Supreme Court of Kenya earns a monthly gross salary of about Ksh. 1 million.
The amount excludes allowances, primary allowances, and benefits.
Martha Koome net worth and salary
The new CJ Koome has not declared her wealth and the six figure salary in her payslip.
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Elsewhere, Martha has not listed all properties, houses, homes, and cool cars under her name.
Some sources estimate the empire of Martha Koome’s wealth at Ksh. 100 million.
CJ Martha Karambu Koome contacts
- Twitter: @Martha_koome
Chief Justice Martha Koome remains a celebrated figure, now in Maraga’s shoes as the 15th Chief Justice of Kenya since independence.
Similarly, judge Koome is a third CJ under the new constitution of 2010 following a smooth vetting process by the National Assembly and the presidency.
- READ ALSO: Martha Koome Husband Photos.
Chief Justice Martha Koome biography speaks more about the first female CJ in Kenyan history. It is a summary of a judge who has written a clean jurisprudence record.
