Martha Koome: Biography, Education, Career, Marriage, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings and Age 2025

Martha Koome Biography

Who is Martha Koome?: Justice Martha Karambu Koome is one of the most respected and admired women in Kenya and across Africa. She is best known for breaking barriers in the legal world by becoming the first woman to hold the position of Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya. Her story is one of hard work, determination, and commitment to justice, especially for women and children.

Early Life and Background

Martha Karambu Koome was born on 3rd June 1960 in a small village called Kithiu in Meru County, Kenya. She grew up in a rural farming community, where life was simple but sometimes very challenging.

She was born into a large polygamous family. Her father had two wives, and Martha’s mother was one of them. In total, there were 18 children in the family. Her parents were peasant farmers, meaning they farmed mainly to feed the family and earned very little from selling extra crops.

Growing up in such a big family taught Martha the values of sharing, working hard, and respecting others. It also meant that getting an education was not easy because there were many children to care for, and resources were limited. However, her parents believed in the power of education and supported her schooling as much as they could.

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Education

Martha attended primary school in her local area before joining Our Lady of Consolata Mugoiri Girls High School in Murang’a County for her secondary education. This was a big step for her because it meant leaving her home village and living in a boarding school environment.

In high school, Martha worked hard and performed well, which earned her a place at the University of Nairobi in 1981. There, she studied law and graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree.

After completing her university studies, she joined the Kenya School of Law for her professional training. In 1987, she was officially admitted to the Kenyan Bar, meaning she could now practice law as an advocate.

Years later, while already working in the legal field, Martha decided to continue her education. In 2010, she earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Public International Law from the University of London. This higher qualification helped her strengthen her expertise, especially in human rights and constitutional law.

Early Career as a Lawyer

Martha’s legal career began when she worked as a legal associate at the law firm Mathenge and Muchemi Advocates. After gaining some experience, she took a bold step and started her own law firm, which she ran until 2003.

As a lawyer, she often worked on cases involving human rights, especially for women and children. She believed that the law should protect everyone equally and that vulnerable groups should have access to justice.

Leadership in Legal Organizations

She was a Council Member of the Law Society of Kenya from 1993 to 1996.

She served as the first Treasurer of the East Africa Law Society between 1994 and 1996.

In 1997, she became the Chairperson of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya). She served two terms in this role, helping to promote women’s rights and legal reforms.

During her time with FIDA, Martha was heavily involved in campaigns for gender equality and constitutional reforms in Kenya.

Role in Constitutional Reform and Human Rights

Martha Koome played an important part in Kenya’s constitutional review process. She was a delegate at the Bomas of Kenya constitutional conference, where she co-chaired the committee that dealt with the Bill of Rights.

She also served as a Commissioner for the African Union Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child starting in 1995. Her work in this area helped strengthen child protection laws and promote children’s rights across Africa.

In Kenya, she chaired a Taskforce on Children’s Matters, which was responsible for revising the Children’s Act to better protect minors.

Judicial Career

Martha’s journey in the judiciary began in 2003, when she was appointed as a High Court Judge. She served in different divisions of the High Court, including family law, environment, and land disputes. She worked in the High Court for more than eight years.

In January 2012, she was promoted to the Court of Appeal as a judge. That same year, she was elected as the Chairperson of the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association, a position she held until 2016.

Her leadership in the judiciary was marked by fairness, firmness, and a strong commitment to justice.

Becoming the First Female Chief Justice

In 2021, after a competitive selection process, Martha Koome was nominated and approved to serve as Kenya’s 15th Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court. She was sworn into office in May 2021, making history as the first woman to hold this position in Kenya.

As Chief Justice, she oversees the entire judiciary of Kenya and presides over the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the country. Her appointment was celebrated widely as a victory for gender equality.

Achievements and Recognition

Martha Koome has achieved a lot in her life and career:

• She became the first Female Chief Justice of Kenya

• A human Rights Advocate

• A constitutional Reformer

• She became a runner-up for UN Person of the Year 2020 for her human rights work…

Marital Life

Martha Koome is married to Koome Kiragu. The couple has three children together. Despite her busy schedule, she values her family deeply and has often spoken about balancing her professional duties with her role as a wife and mother.

Although she has shared that she grew up with 17 siblings, the names of her parents and siblings have not been made public. This is likely to protect their privacy.

Net Worth and Salary

Martha Koome’s exact net worth is not officially known because she has not made a public declaration of all her assets. However, some media sources have estimated that her wealth could be around KSh 400 million. This figure is unverified and should be taken with caution.

As Chief Justice, she reportedly earns a gross monthly salary of about KSh 1 million, not including allowances and benefits.

Conclusion

Justice Martha Koome’s life is an inspiring example of how determination, education, and a strong sense of justice can lead to great achievements. From her humble beginnings in rural Meru to the highest judicial office in Kenya, she has shown that it is possible to overcome obstacles and make history.

Her leadership continues to shape Kenya’s legal system, and her legacy will be remembered for breaking barriers and championing justice for all.