Kenya’s Chief Justice Stands Firm Against Corruption Allegations

In an exclusive interview, Kenya's first female Chief Justice Martha Koome addresses recent corruption allegations, asserting her commitment to impartiality and women's rights in the judiciary.

In a recent declaration, Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha Koome firmly refuted allegations of corruption within the judiciary, emphasizing that no one has ever attempted to bribe her in her 22 years of service. In an interview with the BBC, Koome labeled the disparagements against her and her colleagues as "total misogyny," asserting that they seek to undermine her credibility and distract from her duties. Critics have coined the term "jurispesa," blending jurisprudence with the Swahili word for money, to describe perceived judicial corruption.

Koome challenged her accusers to present tangible evidence to the appropriate authorities, defending her record while highlighting the long-standing issues of corruption plaguing Kenya’s judicial system. She pointed out that some of the criticism directed at her might stem from her being a woman in a position of authority, stating, “It is total chauvinism.”

Appalled by the epidemic of violence against women in Kenya, where nearly 100 women and girls were reported killed in just three months, she reiterated her commitment to justice. Koome aims to launch 11 specialized courts to handle sexual and gender-based violence cases, with two already operational in Kisumu and Siaya. The Chief Justice stressed the urgency of these initiatives, saying victims deserve a system that prioritizes their needs without dragging them through the courts for years.

Justice Koome’s resolve to combat judicial corruption and advocate for women's protection marks a critical point in her tenure and Kenya's broader struggle against gendered violence and systemic corruption within its judiciary.