Justice Martha Koome speaks on recent corruption claims, women's rights, and the need for reforms within Kenya's judicial system.
Martha Koome Addresses Misogyny and Judiciary Integrity in Kenya
Martha Koome Addresses Misogyny and Judiciary Integrity in Kenya
Kenya's first female Chief Justice refutes bribery allegations and calls for gender equality in justice.
Justice Martha Koome, the first female Chief Justice of Kenya, has recently confronted allegations of corruption and incompetence within the judiciary. In an interview with the BBC, Koome emphasized her integrity, stating, "In all these 22 years I’ve been a judge and a chief justice, nobody has ever approached me with a bribe. I would have them arrested." Her remarks came in response to increasing public sentiment alleging financial misconduct within the legal system, dubbed "jurispesa", a term merging jurisprudence and pesa, meaning money in Swahili.
Despite facing accusations of failing to address corruption properly, Koome urged critics to provide evidence to the relevant authorities instead of spreading unsubstantiated claims. She asserted, "These accusations are supposed to lower my credibility. It is supposed to distract me. I know who I am and what I have done."
Koome's tenure has had its share of challenges, particularly regarding the long-standing issue of corruption in the Kenyan judiciary. In 2021, she described the corruption as "a national embarrassment." In her latest comments, she noted some of the criticism she faces could be attributed to gender biases, highlighting the misogyny and chauvinism that often permeate public life.
A notable concern for Justice Koome is the alarming rise in violence against women in Kenya. The official reports indicate nearly 100 women and girls have been murdered in the last three months, and over 500 women have been victims of femicide between 2016 and 2024, as per the Africa Data Hub. She lamented the frequency of reports regarding women's violence and pledged to make justice accessible to female victims.
In response to these issues, Koome has initiated measures to improve the judicial response to gender-based crimes. Plans are underway to establish 11 courts across the nation specifically aimed at handling cases of sexual and gender-based violence, with two already operational in Kisumu and Siaya counties. She expressed hope that these entities would streamline justice for victims, asserting, "The victim who was violated does not keep coming to court, year in year out."
Justice Koome's commitment to confronting gender violence and corruption in the judiciary highlights the essential intersections of justice, society, and gender equality in Kenya's ongoing fight against misogyny and discrimination.
Despite facing accusations of failing to address corruption properly, Koome urged critics to provide evidence to the relevant authorities instead of spreading unsubstantiated claims. She asserted, "These accusations are supposed to lower my credibility. It is supposed to distract me. I know who I am and what I have done."
Koome's tenure has had its share of challenges, particularly regarding the long-standing issue of corruption in the Kenyan judiciary. In 2021, she described the corruption as "a national embarrassment." In her latest comments, she noted some of the criticism she faces could be attributed to gender biases, highlighting the misogyny and chauvinism that often permeate public life.
A notable concern for Justice Koome is the alarming rise in violence against women in Kenya. The official reports indicate nearly 100 women and girls have been murdered in the last three months, and over 500 women have been victims of femicide between 2016 and 2024, as per the Africa Data Hub. She lamented the frequency of reports regarding women's violence and pledged to make justice accessible to female victims.
In response to these issues, Koome has initiated measures to improve the judicial response to gender-based crimes. Plans are underway to establish 11 courts across the nation specifically aimed at handling cases of sexual and gender-based violence, with two already operational in Kisumu and Siaya counties. She expressed hope that these entities would streamline justice for victims, asserting, "The victim who was violated does not keep coming to court, year in year out."
Justice Koome's commitment to confronting gender violence and corruption in the judiciary highlights the essential intersections of justice, society, and gender equality in Kenya's ongoing fight against misogyny and discrimination.
