Justice Martha Koome

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has settled on Justice Martha Koome to replace retired David Maraga as Kenya’s next Chief Justice.

JSC acting chairperson Prof Olive Mugenda on Tuesday announced that the commission has unanimously agreed to nominate Justice Martha Koome as the next Chief Justice and has forwarded her name to the president for appointment.

Justice Martha Koome, who has been serving as a judge at the Court of Appeal, will make history once appointed as Kenya’s first female Chief Justice.

She has over 26 years in experience both as a legal practitioner and a Judge of the High Court and as Judge of The Court of Appeal. She holds an LL.B. from the University of Nairobi and an LL.M in Public International Law from the University of London.

Judge Koome was appointed Judge of the Court of Appeal in January 2012. Prior to the appointment to the Court of Appeal, she served as Puine Judge for 8+ years and practiced law for 15 years.

She is married Koome Kiragu and is a mother of 3 adult children.