Martha Koome, Kenya’s Chief Justice on Monday, September 5, delivered a ruling upholding the election of William Ruto as president, dismissing Raila Odinga’s petition to have the August 9, elections overturned.
She became the first female Chief Justice to deliver a high-profile ruling of this kind in Kenya.
First runner-up Raila Odinga had petitioned the court over allegations of vote rigging but in the Supreme Court ruling read by Chief Justice Koome on behalf of the seven judges, the court said it found no significant evidence of irregularities, pronouncing Ruto’s election valid.
Ruto welcomed the verdict and pledged to work with the opposition while Odinga said “we respect the opinion of the court although we vehemently disagree with their decision today.”
The verdict puts to bed weeks of post-election tensions, but who is Chief Justice Koome?
Martha Koome became the first female Chief Justice of Kenya and the President of the Supreme Court of Kenya following her appointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta in May 2021. Her appointment was warmly welcomed with several saying she was a breath of fresh air. She didn’t take it lightly either.
“I am the first woman in Kenya to take this office but because every time a member of the marginalized group breaks a barrier, they hold a space for the dreams and hopes of others.”
However, the journey to the highest judicial office has not been a walk in the park. Hailing from a family of peasant farmers, Koome had to beat unimaginable odds for her ascension to the judicial realm.
“I am a villager in the truest sense. My parents were peasant farmers and we were 18 children from two mothers. So, for all of us, especially girls – it was a struggle to overcome the odds.”
Koome has previously served as a council member of the Law Society of Kenya, Chairperson of FIDA, the African Union Commissioner to the African Committee on the Rights and welfare of children, Chairperson of the National Council on the Administration of Justice special taskforce on children matters, Court of Appeal Judge and Chairperson of the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association.
A renowned human rights and gender advocate, Koome has utilized her platform and 34-year-old career to fight for justice for women and marginalized groups, as well as restore public trust in Kenya’s judiciary.
In recognition of her work, she was the first runner-up in the 2020 United Nations person of the year.
