This archive report was first published on 30 April 2021.
On April 30, 2021, the nomination of Court of Appeal Judge Martha Koome as Kenya's next Chief Justice was announced, sparking hope for a renewed fight against corruption in the country.
As the first woman to hold the position, Justice Koome brings a unique perspective to the role, having previously spoken out against corruption in the judiciary and advocating for human rights.
Lawyer Danstan Omari believes that Justice Koome's candidature is a huge boost in the fight against corruption, citing her past role in civil society and her ability to tap into their resources to develop capacity for judicial officers to fight corruption.
DCI George Kinoti also sees Justice Koome's appointment as a positive development, stating that the combination of the three institutions - the Judiciary, Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji, and Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti - working together can collectively win the war against corruption.
Kinoti drew parallels with the capture of the mafia, where collective working and bravery of the police, prosecution, and judiciary led to a successful outcome.
With Justice Koome at the helm, the Judiciary is poised to play a key role in the fight against corruption, and her appointment is seen as a major step forward in this effort.
