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Thursday, 29 October 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Martha Koome

Also known as: Chief Justice Martha Koome · Chief Justice Koome · JSC chairperson and Chief Justice Martha Koome · Justice Koome · CJ Martha Koome · JSC Chairperson Martha Koome · former IG called Koome

Chief Justice of Kenya, presiding over Supreme Court cases and judicial matters including judges' allowances and JSC removal proceedings.

2026-04-282026-10-29

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In coverage

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  1. October 2026
  2. Citizen Digital

    Judiciary seeks extra funding to prepare for 2027 election disputes By Francis Mtalaki October 28, 2026 08:27 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Chief Justice Martha Koome in a past address. …

    Judiciary seeks extra funding to prepare for 2027 election disputes
  3. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 28 — Chief Justice Martha Koome has assured Kenyans that the Judiciary is taking steps to prepare for the resolution of electoral disputes ahead of the 2027 General Election. …

    Judiciary to Train 400 Personnel Ahead of 2027 Elections, Koome Says
  4. Capital News

    … NACADA Board Chairperson Stephen Mairori made the proposal during a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome, where he commended the Judiciary for establishing specialised courts to handle cases involving the possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances …

    NACADA Seeks Specialised Drug Courts in Embu, Eldoret and Mombasa
  5. The Standard

    … NACADA Board Chair Stephen Mairori made the proposals during a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday, October 19, where he called for expanded judicial capacity to handle cases involving narcotics, psychotropic substances and organised crime. …

    NACADA seeks specialised drug courts in Embu, Eldoret
  6. Citizen Digital

    Court rejects SRC bid to recuse CJ Koome, Justice Warsame in judges' car allowance case By Dzuya Walter October 14, 2026 01:45 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Chief Justice Martha Koome an …

    Court rejects SRC bid to recuse CJ Koome, Justice Warsame in judges' car allowance case
  7. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeChief Justice Martha Koome has rejected a bid by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to have her and Justice Mohammed Warsame recuse themselves from a case challenging judges’ Sh10 million taxable car allowance. …

    'I'm not going anywhere': CJ Koome rejects SRC's bid to recuse self from judges' Sh10m car allowance case
  8. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeChief Justice Martha Koome has urged parents across the country to abandon retrogressive cultural practices that expose girls to female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriages and other forms of abuse. …

    CJ Koome urges parents to protect girls from FGM and early marriages
  9. Capital News

    … The decision affects complaints targeting Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and Justices Mohammed Ibrahim, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola and William Ouko. …

    High Court quashes JSC notices against seven Supreme Court judges
  10. September 2026
  11. Capital News

    … Chief Justice Martha Koome also expressed shock at his death, highlighting his contribution to strengthening security within the Judiciary. …

    Police, Judiciary mourn Lazarus Opicho, pioneer Judiciary Police Unit commander
  12. The Standard

    … Among those who mourned him are National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Chief Justice Martha Koome, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat and the Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin. …

    Tributes pour in for VIP protection unit commandant Lazurus Opicho

Yesterday

  1. Judiciary seeks extra funds for 2027 election dispute capacity

    Chief Justice Martha Koome says the Judiciary is appealing to the National Assembly for additional funding to enhance its capacity to handle disputes and logistical issues related to next year's General Election. The Judiciary is conducting a training programme for over 400 judges, but a shortage of funds threatens adequate preparation.

    4 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  2. Judiciary to train 400 personnel for 2027 election disputes

    Chief Justice Martha Koome says the Judiciary will begin a phased rollout of electoral dispute resolution training this week, targeting more than 400 judges and other judicial personnel to strengthen the courts' capacity to handle election-related cases fairly and on their merits.

    13 hours ago · Capital News →

Monday 19 October

  1. NACADA asks Judiciary for specialised drug courts in three cities

    The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has requested that the Judiciary establish additional specialised courts to handle drug-related offences in Embu, Eldoret, and Mombasa, and proposed a High Court with specialised jurisdiction over organised crime. NACADA also called for capacity building for judicial officers and joint training programmes on drug abuse.

    19 October 2026 · Capital News →

  2. NACADA seeks specialised drug courts in Embu and Eldoret

    NACADA has proposed establishing specialised drug courts in Embu and Eldoret and reinstating Shanzu Law Court in Mombasa to handle drug-related cases, and called for a High Court with specialised jurisdiction over organised crime. The Chief Justice welcomed the proposals and expressed the Judiciary's readiness to deepen collaboration with NACADA.

    19 October 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 14 October

  1. Court rejects SRC recusal bid in judges' car allowance dispute

    Chief Justice Martha Koome and Justice Mohammed Warsame have rejected an application by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission seeking their recusal from a case challenging the taxation of car allowances. The SRC had argued the judges could not provide a fair hearing, citing prior remarks by the Chief Justice, but the two judges declined to step aside.

    14 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. CJ Koome rejects SRC recusal bid in judges' car allowance case

    Chief Justice Martha Koome has rejected a bid by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to have her and Justice Mohammed Warsame recuse themselves from a Supreme Court case challenging judges' Sh10 million taxable car allowance. The SRC, which expressed concerns about the judges' impartiality based on their previous involvement in Judicial Service Commission discussions and alleged remarks by Koome, cited the need for impartiality in the dispute.

    14 October 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 11 October

  1. CJ Koome urges parents to abandon FGM and early marriages

    Chief Justice Martha Koome has called on parents across the country to abandon harmful cultural practices including female genital mutilation and early marriages that undermine girls' right to education and a brighter future. She spoke at Kimana in Kajiado County during International Day of the Girl Child celebrations, emphasising that child protection is a shared responsibility requiring collective effort from families, communities, government institutions and other stakeholders.

    11 October 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 2 October

  1. High Court voids JSC removal notices against seven Supreme Court judges

    The High Court has quashed notices issued by the Judicial Service Commission requiring seven Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice Martha Koome, to respond to complaints seeking their removal, finding the commission failed to conduct a preliminary assessment before starting the removal process.

    2 October 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 29 September

  1. Senior police commander Lazarus Opicho dies at 65

    Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police Lazarus Opicho, Commandant of the Security of Government Buildings and VIP Protection Unit and pioneer commander of the Judiciary Police Unit, has died after an illness. Inspector General Douglas Kanja and Chief Justice Martha Koome paid tribute to his decades of service to the police and judiciary.

    29 September 2026 · Capital News →

  2. VIP protection unit commandant Lazurus Opicho dies

    Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police Lazurus Opicho died on Monday night at Aga Khan hospital. He was commandant of the VIP protection unit and Security of Government Buildings, and headed the Judiciary Police Unit from 2021 to 2024.

    29 September 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 25 September

  1. LSK renews targeted court boycott over JSC commitments

    The Law Society of Kenya has renewed its call for advocates to boycott selected courts and judicial officers, citing unfulfilled commitments from the Judicial Service Commission on judicial accountability. LSK President Charles Kanjama said the targeted boycott remains in force and members should refrain from appearing before judges and officers identified by the society.

    25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 21 September

  1. Court orders block football league season kickoff

    Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed says conflicting High Court directives from Murang'a and Kiambu — one requiring a playoff between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United for the final league spot, the other mandating Mombasa United's direct inclusion as the 18th team — forced the federation to postpone the scheduled September 19, 2026 league kickoff to avoid legal exposure.

    21 September 2026 · The Standard →

  2. DAP-K leader accuses registrar of frustrating opposition party formation

    Democratic Action Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa accused the Registrar of Political Parties of frustrating leaders from the Linda Mwananchi movement who are seeking to establish new parties after leaving ODM, and invited Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to join DAP-K. Wamalwa also called on Parliament and the Judiciary to expedite electoral law amendments and resolve legal uncertainties ahead of the 2027 General Election.

    21 September 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 17 September

  1. Government pushes stronger protections for Kenyans working abroad

    The government is calling for stronger recruitment systems, effective agreements with destination countries, and better dispute-resolution mechanisms to protect Kenyans working abroad from fraudulent recruitment, human trafficking, wage violations and unsafe conditions. More than 540,000 Kenyans are currently working abroad, with diaspora remittances exceeding five billion US dollars in 2025.

    17 September 2026 · Capital News →

Sunday 13 September

  1. CJ Koome mourns death of Eswatini Chief Justice Maphalala

    Kenya's Chief Justice Martha Koome has expressed condolences on the death of Eswatini's Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala, who died on September 10 while receiving medical treatment in South Africa. Koome noted that Maphalala, who served as chief justice since 2015, strengthened regional judicial cooperation through his leadership of the Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices' Forum.

    13 September 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 10 September

  1. Duncan Ojwang sworn in as fourth IPOA chairperson

    Duncan Ojwang Oburu has taken charge of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for a six-year term following appointment by President William Ruto and approval by the National Assembly. He replaces Justice Ahmed Issack Hassan, who relinquished the position in February 2026 after his appointment to the Court of Appeal.

    10 September 2026 · The Standard →

  2. CJ Koome urges TSC commissioners to prioritise teachers welfare

    Chief Justice Martha Koome challenged newly appointed TSC commissioners Wilson Sossion and Antonina Lentoijoni to treat their positions as a responsibility to serve Kenyans, emphasizing that their tenure should be defined by integrity, constitutionalism, and impact on teachers and learners.

    10 September 2026 · The Standard →

Saturday 29 August

  1. Tear gas dispersed at Linda Mwananchi rally in Migori

    Siaya Governor James Orengo and the Linda Mwananchi team were attacked in Migori on Saturday after tear gas was discharged during a rally; the team condemned the incident as an attempt on their lives and pledged to continue their campaign to vote out President William Ruto in the 2027 polls.

    29 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Muturi calls on judiciary to prepare election dispute mechanisms

    Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has urged Chief Justice Martha Koome to activate the Judiciary's elections committee and establish clear timelines for resolving election-related disputes ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that special arrangements should be put in place proactively rather than during an electoral crisis.

    29 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 24 August

  1. Kangema magistrate charged with receiving Sh150,000 bribe

    Suspended Kangema Senior Principal Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi has been charged with receiving a bribe and arraigned before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court. Mutegi was arrested last month by the EACC at a restaurant in Kangema Township alongside a Senior Probation Officer, allegedly caught receiving Sh150,000 in marked money from a businessman seeking a favourable sentence.

    24 August 2026 · Capital News →

  2. Suspended Kangema magistrate charged with bribery, released on bail

    Suspended Kangema Magistrate Martin Kinyua Mutegi has been charged with requesting a Sh170,000 bribe and receiving a Sh150,000 bribe to influence a convicted businessman's sentence. He pleaded not guilty before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court and was released on Sh400,000 cash bail.

    24 August 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Supreme Court halts Sh1.5bn recovery in Ruaraka land case

    The Supreme Court has issued temporary orders stopping the recovery of Sh1.5 billion in compensation paid for land occupied by Ruaraka High School and Drive-In Primary School, pending the hearing of an application by Huelands Limited. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission cannot proceed with recovery efforts or enforcement measures while the interim orders remain in effect.

    20 August 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. NCIC summons Gachagua over alleged inflammatory utterances

    The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has summoned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to appear before it over alleged utterances under investigation for possible violations relating to hate speech and incitement. The investigations relate to various utterances allegedly made by Gachagua on different dates and at public forums, including an alleged utterance made on February 23, 2026, at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County.

    18 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Monday 17 August

  1. Chief Justice Koome disowns fabricated letter circulating on social media

    The Judiciary issued a public notice dismissing a letter purportedly signed by Chief Justice Martha Koome as fabricated, warning the public against using it to advance political narratives. The fake document, bearing the Supreme Court and Chief Justice office letterhead, falsely claims to address alleged attempts to interfere with the independence of the Supreme Court and names former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Chief Justice David Maraga, and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

    17 August 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Junet Mohamed denies receiving money for Gachagua impeachment

    Suna East MP Junet Mohamed denied receiving money to support the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, clarifying that his earlier remarks about MPs being given "something" referred to general lobbying within Parliament, not personal payment to him.

    11 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 6 August

  1. Chief Justice warns judiciary against corruption and bribery

    Chief Justice Martha Koome has warned judges, magistrates and judicial staff against engaging in corruption and bribery, saying integrity is the foundation of a credible justice system and that the Judiciary has zero tolerance for corruption.

    6 August 2026 · The Standard →

  2. DPP warns of prosecution for political incitement, gang sponsorship

    The Director of Public Prosecutions has warned politicians against fuelling political intolerance through inflammatory remarks and sponsoring criminal gangs, stating his office will pursue further arrests to safeguard peace and the rule of law. The warning follows the arrest of Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia and comes amid heightened political tensions.

    6 August 2026 · The Standard →

  3. CJ Koome warns of crisis in Bungoma teenage pregnancies

    Chief Justice Martha Koome has expressed concern over a surge in teenage pregnancies in Bungoma County, describing it as a child justice crisis. With 125 pending defilement cases at Bungoma Law Courts, she called for a whole-of-society approach and the establishment of a County Action Plan involving the Judiciary, county government, and relevant stakeholders.

    6 August 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Bomet County launches alternative justice systems framework

    Chief Justice Martha Koome has launched an Alternative Justice Systems framework in Bomet County designed to bring faster, more accessible dispute resolution through mediation, dialogue, and traditional mechanisms alongside the formal courts. The initiative brings together community elders, religious leaders, mediators, and civil society organizations, with registries established in Bomet and Sotik to coordinate referrals and maintain records, though serious criminal offences will remain under formal jurisdiction.

    4 August 2026 · Capital News →

Monday 3 August

  1. High Court issues interim orders halting LSK boycott

    Kenya's High Court has issued interim orders stopping the Law Society of Kenya from disrupting court proceedings pending the determination of a preliminary objection to the court's jurisdiction. Justice David Mburu said the orders were necessary to restore order within the Judiciary and ensure court operations continue without interference.

    3 August 2026 · Capital News →

Martha Koome — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute