Martha Koome

Also known as: Chief Justice Martha Koome · Chief Justice Koome · JSC chairperson and Chief Justice Martha Koome · Justice Koome · CJ Martha Koome

Chief Justice overseeing judicial reforms and facing renewed pressure regarding judicial accountability amid lawyer boycotts.

2026-04-282026-07-30

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

July 2026
29 JulCitizen Digital
… Meanwhile, Chief Justice Martha Koome said preparations for the 2027 General Election have intensified, with institutions under the National Council on the Administration of Justice stepping up coordination to ensure a peaceful electoral process. …
DPP warns politicians over hate speech, goonism ahead of 2027 polls
29 JulCapital News
… Opening the meeting on Monday, Chief Justice Martha Koome underscored the need for early institutional preparedness, saying election readiness extends beyond electoral management and post-election dispute resolution. …
NCAJ reactivates Election Preparedness Committee ahead of 2027 polls
29 JulThe Standard
… Launching the reforms, Chief Justice Martha Koome said stronger collaboration across justice sector agencies was essential because the public interacts with the justice system as a single chain rather than as individual institutions."The public experiences the justice system as o …
EACC pushes for digital overhaul to tighten anti-corruption fight
28 JulCitizen Digital
… Meanwhile, Chief Justice Martha Koome directed that Kinyua be relieved of his judicial duties pending investigation. …
DPP approves bribery charges against Kangema magistrate, probation officer
28 JulCapital News
… The criminal charges come just days after Chief Justice and Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Chairperson Martha Koome suspended Mutegi from judicial duties pending disciplinary proceedings. …
DPP approves bribery charges against Kangema Magistrate, Probation Officer
27 JulCapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 27 – Chief Justice Martha Koome has unveiled five landmark justice sector reform instruments aimed at accelerating digital transformation, strengthening responses to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and enhancing access to justice through greater insti …
CJ Koome Launches Five Justice Sector Reform Instruments to Strengthen Access to Justice
27 JulThe Standard
… In a petition filed under a certificate of urgency, Advocate Adrian Kamotho has sued LSK led by President Charles Kanjama, over its nationwide and targeted court boycott of Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and other judges, arguing that the action …
Lawyer seeks orders to suspend court boycott
26 JulCitizen Digital
… kiri ni kesi inadelay kumbe sio kesi inadelay ni watu wanacheza game, hio anaweza kuja na file icheleweshwe kufika kwa ODPP na wakati inaitwa kotini haiko, na wakati koti imemaliza wanaleta yeye analeta file maksudi.” Despite repeated directives by the Chief Justice, Martha Koome …
Children betrayed twice: Justice that remains out of reach
24 JulCapital News
… On January 16, 2026, Chief Justice Martha Koome designated four Magistrates’ Courts—JKIA, Kahawa, Mombasa and Busia—as Special Magistrates’ Courts to exclusively handle narcotics trafficking and related offences in response to President Ruto’s call. …
Sh13.4m cannabis haul tops fresh anti-drug crackdown across 3 counties
24 JulCapital News
… He also revisited events surrounding the judgment, claiming then Chief Justice Martha Koome made public remarks before the ruling indicating that an impeached governor remains impeached. …
Sonko questions Supreme Court over AG advisory opinion on impeachment, hints at fresh legal challenge

Politics

DPP warns politicians of prosecution for hate speech before 2027 election

The News

The Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga warned politicians and individuals fuelling political tensions and goonism that they will face the full force of the law ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking at the NCAJ Conference in Mombasa, Ingonga said his office is working with the DCI and NCIC to prosecute those found responsible for inflammatory rhetoric and disruption of political gatherings.

22 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

Yesterday

DPP warns politicians of prosecution for hate speech before 2027 election
The Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga warned politicians and individuals fuelling political tensions and goonism that they will face the full force of the law ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking at the NCAJ Conference in Mombasa, Ingonga said his office is working with the DCI and NCIC to prosecute those found responsible for inflammatory rhetoric and disruption of political gatherings.
22 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
NCAJ reactivates election preparedness committee for 2027
The National Council on the Administration of Justice has reactivated its Ad Hoc Committee on Election Preparedness to coordinate the justice sector ahead of the 2027 General Election, following IEBC briefings on the electoral roadmap. The committee, chaired by the IEBC Chairperson, will focus on enhancing justice-sector readiness and inter-agency collaboration throughout the electoral cycle.
29 July 2026 · Capital News →
EACC calls for digital transformation in public institutions
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has called for accelerated digital transformation across public institutions, saying technology is critical to sealing corruption loopholes, improving transparency and strengthening accountability. The EACC CEO said digital systems should become central to justice sector operations to improve detection, investigation and prosecution of corruption cases.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 28 July

DPP approves bribery charges against Kangema magistrate, officer
The Director of Public Prosecutions has approved bribery charges against Kangema Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua and Probation Officer Julius Irungu after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission submitted an inquiry file. According to the EACC preliminary report, Irungu approached a complainant on behalf of Kinyua and demanded Ksh.170,000, claiming it would secure a non-custodial sentence through a favourable probation recommendation.
28 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
DPP approves bribery charges against Kangema magistrate and probation officer
The Director of Public Prosecutions has approved charges against Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi and Senior Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu for allegedly soliciting a Sh170,000 bribe from a Murang'a businessman to influence a criminal case outcome. The EACC investigation found sufficient evidence for prosecution, and the DPP has directed the suspects be charged immediately.
28 July 2026 · Capital News →

Monday 27 July

Chief Justice Koome unveils five justice sector reform instruments
Chief Justice Martha Koome has unveiled five justice sector reform instruments aimed at accelerating digital transformation, strengthening responses to sexual and gender-based violence, and enhancing access to justice through greater institutional coordination. Speaking at the 38th National Council on the Administration of Justice meeting in Mombasa, Koome said the reforms are designed to build a justice system that is fair, efficient, accessible and responsive to the needs of all Kenyans.
27 July 2026 · Capital News →
Lawyer petitions High Court to halt LSK's judicial boycott
A city lawyer has filed a High Court petition seeking conservatory orders to suspend the Law Society of Kenya's targeted boycott of judges and judicial officers, arguing the action is unconstitutional, undermines judicial independence, and denies litigants access to justice.
27 July 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 26 July

Children in Busia face lengthy delays seeking justice in abuse cases
Citizen TV investigation finds that children in Busia County seeking justice for defilement face cases stretching from months into years, with some delayed over five years by repeated adjournments, missing files, and intimidation claims, leaving families feeling twice betrayed.
26 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 24 July

Police seize Sh13.4m cannabis haul across three counties
Police have seized cannabis worth Sh13.4 million and arrested four suspects in intelligence-led operations across Nandi, Kiambu and Kisii counties as part of the government's anti-narcotics campaign. The coordinated raids uncovered large consignments of cannabis being transported through public and private vehicles, with detectives also recovering cash suspected to be proceeds of drug trafficking.
24 July 2026 · Capital News →
Sonko challenges Supreme Court advisory opinion on impeached officers
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko questioned the Supreme Court's decision to seek an Attorney General advisory opinion on whether impeached state officers can contest elections while appeals are pending, arguing the court had already addressed the issue in his own 2022 impeachment case. Sonko also raised concerns about former Chief Justice Martha Koome's pre-ruling remarks and the compressed timeline for his appeal hearing.
24 July 2026 · Capital News →

Wednesday 22 July

Kangema Principal Magistrate relieved pending corruption probe
Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua has been relieved of his judicial duties pending an investigation into alleged solicitation of a bribe. He was arrested by the EACC alongside a Probation Officer for allegedly receiving Ksh.150,000 from a complainant in a matter pending before the court.
22 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
JSC suspends Kangema magistrate after EACC bribe arrest
The Judicial Service Commission has suspended Kangema Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi following his arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over allegations of soliciting a Sh170,000 bribe to influence a criminal case outcome. Chief Justice Martha Koome said the Judiciary has commenced disciplinary proceedings and pledged cooperation with investigators.
22 July 2026 · Capital News →
Law Society of Kenya maintains court boycott for judicial accountability
The Law Society of Kenya has reaffirmed its nationwide boycott of court proceedings, with President Charles Kanjama urging advocates to stay away from courts to mount pressure for greater accountability within the Judiciary. The LSK Council and Senior Counsel Bar are scheduled to meet the Judicial Service Commission on July 31 to discuss the concerns behind the protest.
22 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
CJ Koome faces renewed pressure amid lawyer boycott threat
Chief Justice Martha Koome faces a fresh push for removal from office as the Law Society of Kenya threatens a lawyer boycott, accusing some judicial officers of using court orders to shield themselves from accountability while they claim constitutional protections and due process rights.
22 July 2026 · The Standard →
Chief Justice Koome faces renewed pressure to resign amid judicial crisis
Chief Justice Martha Koome is under renewed pressure to step down as lawyers threaten a court boycott, with the Law Society of Kenya accusing some judicial officers of using court orders to shield themselves from accountability while the targeted judges claim constitutional protections and due process entitlements.
22 July 2026 · The Standard →
Senior magistrate and probation officer arrested for Sh150,000 bribe
Martin Kinyua Mutegi, a Senior Principal Magistrate, and Julius Irungu, a Principal Probation Officer, both attached to Kangema Law Courts, were arrested by the EACC on Tuesday evening for allegedly soliciting and receiving Sh150,000 from a litigant in exchange for influencing a criminal case outcome through a favourable probation recommendation.
22 July 2026 · The Standard →
Senior magistrate suspended following EACC bribery arrest
The Judiciary has suspended Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Mutegi of Kangema Law Courts following his arrest by the EACC over bribery allegations. Mutegi and Principal Probation Officer Julius Irungu Njogu were arrested after a businessman alleged they solicited and received a bribe; Sh150,000 in marked currency was recovered.
22 July 2026 · The Standard →
Law Society of Kenya lawyers begin nationwide court boycott
The Law Society of Kenya on July 22 effected a nationwide boycott of court proceedings to protest corruption, delays in justice administration, and lack of accountability in the Judiciary. LSK President Charles Kanjama said some judges proceeded with scheduled matters despite notice, and the Society reported advocates faced case dismissals and adjournment fees for the boycott.
22 July 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 21 July

KMJA urges LSK to reconsider nationwide court boycott
The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association has appealed to the Law Society of Kenya to abandon its planned nationwide court boycott, arguing that withdrawing legal services would harm litigants rather than resolve judicial delays and inefficiencies. The Judiciary separately rejected the boycott and insisted all courts would remain open, urging advocates to address grievances through dialogue instead.
21 July 2026 · Capital News →
Judges urge LSK to suspend planned court boycott, pursue dialogue
The Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association has urged the Law Society of Kenya to reconsider its planned indefinite targeted boycott of court proceedings, set to begin Thursday over allegations of judicial misconduct and inefficiencies, warning that the action would primarily harm ordinary litigants seeking justice.
21 July 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 20 July

Senior Counsel claims High Court judges sit only 54 days yearly
Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi claims High Court and Court of Appeal judges spend an average of just 54 days a year in court, citing judicial recesses, annual leave, and official travel as constraints. His remarks come as lawyers prepare a nationwide boycott over court delays and alleged inefficiencies, and contrast with the Judiciary's reported 104 per cent case clearance rate for 2024/25.
20 July 2026 · Capital News →
LSK targets Chief Justice Koome in Thursday court boycott
The Law Society of Kenya has named Chief Justice Martha Koome and Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu among nine judges targeted in a court boycott scheduled for Thursday, July 23, in protest over allegations of judicial corruption, misconduct, and registry inefficiencies. The action will continue indefinitely until courts issue orders restraining the Judicial Service Commission, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
20 July 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 16 July

New Court of Appeal President pledges to clear case backlog
Justice Gatembu Kairu, newly installed Court of Appeal President, has pledged to clear a backlog of nearly 10,000 appeals and fast-track case hearings. He identified Rule 5(2)(b) applications (seeking injunctions or stays of execution) as a major source of delays, with 879 such applications pending in Nairobi alone, and vowed to address them as a priority.
16 July 2026 · Capital News →
Chief Justice urges new Appeal Court president to clear case backlog
Chief Justice Martha Koome has challenged Justice Gatembu Kairu, newly installed as President of the Court of Appeal, to clear a backlog of 9,954 appeals and improve the court's institutional performance. Koome noted the court's expanded bench of 41 judges gives it the capacity to resolve more cases than it receives annually.
16 July 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 13 July

Chief Justice establishes High Court division for tribunal appeals
Chief Justice Martha Koome has established a new Tribunals Appeals Division of the High Court at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, operational from July 1, to hear appeals from specialised tribunals (except the Tax Appeals Tribunal) and improve access to justice and expedite dispute resolution.
13 July 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 7 July

Chief Justice Koome mourns retired judge Tunya's death
Chief Justice Martha Koome has extended condolences following the death of retired High Court judge Omondi Tunya, who had a four-decade legal career spanning the bench, private practice, arbitration, and legal education.
7 July 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 3 July

Judiciary achieves 104% case clearance rate, reduces backlog
Chief Justice Martha Koome released the 2024/2025 Performance Management and Measurement Understanding report, showing the Judiciary posted a 104% case clearance rate and cut backlog by 27% in 2025/6. Koome highlighted inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, ICT constraints, and growing caseload as key challenges, and called for sustained investment in modern court infrastructure, digital transformation, and operational efficiency.
3 July 2026 · Capital News →
Migori politics shifts toward ideas over insults ahead of 2027
Migori County's political landscape is changing from historical rivalry and violence toward issue-based competition as the 2027 General Election approaches, with Governor Ochilo Ayacko facing challengers including Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, Suna West MP Peter Masara, and former Woman Representative Dr. Pamela Odhiambo.
3 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Judiciary resolves more cases, cuts backlog by 27 percent
Kenya's Judiciary resolved 647,686 cases against 621,425 new filings in the 2024/2025 financial year, achieving a 104 per cent case clearance rate and reducing its backlog from 272,678 to 244,267 cases. Chief Justice Martha Koome attributed the milestone to reforms and institutional commitment to faster, more accessible justice.
3 July 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 2 July

Ahmednasir claims judges want damaging judiciary report blocked
Constitutional lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi claims that some judges are planning to go to court to stop the release of a report on judicial performance that Chief Justice Martha Koome promised to publish by July 1. According to Ahmednasir, the report shows low judicial productivity, growing case backlogs, and weak leadership, with many judges in senior courts delivering far fewer judgments than expected.
2 July 2026 · Capital News →