Kenya's Chief Justice Martha Koome Responds to Corruption Allegations

Kenya's Chief Justice Martha Koome has strongly rebuffed recent allegations of corruption aimed at her and the judiciary, asserting the claims are rooted in misogyny and gender bias while pledging to improve justice for women.

In a bold statement addressing accusations of corruption within the judiciary, Chief Justice Martha Koome asserted, "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," during an interview with the BBC. This comes in light of recent critiques suggesting a lack of action against bribery and corruption in the judicial system, where a term coined "jurispesa"—a fusion of jurisprudence and the Swahili word for money, "pesa"—has emerged in discussions about judicial corruption.

Despite these allegations, Koome firmly defended her record, challenging accusers to present tangible evidence to the proper authorities. She characterized the claims as attempts to undermine her credibility and distract her from her work, stating, "I know who I am and I know what I have done and what I am going to do." Her insistence on impartiality highlighted her staunch commitment to maintaining integrity in her role.

Justice Koome, who made history as Kenya’s first female chief justice, talked candidly about the ongoing challenges within the judiciary, likening the criticisms she faces to "total misogyny" and "total chauvinism." She stressed that advocacy for women's rights, particularly in combatting violence against women, is a paramount concern for her administration. With increasing rates of violence against women reported in the past three months, including nearly 100 young women and girls killed, her commitment to reforming the legal framework around these issues is evident.

In a recent declaration, she announced plans to establish 11 courts dedicated to handling sexual and gender-based crimes across Kenya. So far, two such courts have been opened in Kisumu and Siaya counties, emphasizing the need for prioritizing justice for victims of gender-based violence. "Cases of gender-based violence must be given priority, so that the victim who was violated does not keep coming to court, year in year out," she said, projecting hope for significant improvements in judicial responsiveness.

This proactive stance by Chief Justice Koome signifies a new era in Kenya, advocating for integrity within the judiciary while simultaneously tackling systemic issues affecting women in society.