Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha Karambu Koome is a veteran human rights defender with years of experience in both junior and senior ranks of the judiciary.
She is a soft-spoken executive with strict tendencies in her rulings. Inside CJ Martha Koome’s biography is a life story of interest.
Martha Karambu Koome is famous for succeeding David Maraga to become Kenya’s first female Chief Justice.
Koome from a humble background in Meru County is already president of the judiciary thanks to her dedication and integrity.
She continues to defend her reputation in the Supreme Court of Kenya.
Martha Koome’s age
How old is CJ Koome? Born June 3rd, 1960, Martha Karambu Koome’s age is 62 years as of 2022.
She is of the Gemini star sign implying she possesses a playful and intellectually curious personality.
Childhood & life experiences
Growing up in a poverty-stricken home exposed CJ Koome to the tactics of survival. It was notably worse for her being a self-reserved girl child.
As a result, she worked harder in school knowing it was the only way of escaping extreme financial and social challenges.
Martha Koome tribe
Kenyan national CJ Koome is of the Ameru tribe otherwise called the Meru ethnicity.
Her memoir indicates that she is eloquent in at least 3 languages among them English, Swahili, and Ameru.
Martha Koome’s education history
Koome attended Mugoiri Girls High School for secondary education. In 1986, she graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Law degree.
After that, she enrolled at the Kenya School of Law (KSL) for a Postgraduate Diploma in law.
In 2010, Martha Koome graduated from the University of London with a Master’s Degree qualification in Public International Law.
CJ Martha Koome family tree and history
Chief Justice Koome originates in Kithiu Village within Meru County. Reports say that her father and mother were peasant farmers.
Coming from a polygamous family of 2 wives and 18 children stamped Koome’s childhood with a scarcity of food and clothing.
As a young girl, she looked up to her elder sister called Rosemary Kathure, Dr. Jenifer Riria, and Prof Leah Marangu as role models.
Martha Koome husband
CJ Martha Koome is happily married to her childhood sweetheart Dr. Koome Kiragu. The little-known lover is a senior humanitarian worker in collaboration with worldwide organizations.
Mr. Koome Kiragu and his wife Martha Karambu walked down the aisle at a young age. Photos of their colorful wedding are still private.
Who is Koome Kiragu? Martha Koome is an executive member of the United States-based Habitat for Humanity.
Apart from being the only African member in the organization, he is the board’s governing executive effective in 2017.
Martha Koome’s children – sons and daughters
CJ Martha Koome and her husband Kiragu are blessed with three children among them 2 sons and a beautiful daughter.
The three siblings now in their senior years are rocking different career paths.
Justice Martha Koome career & CV
Martha Koome brags a working experience spanning 35 years. She has been interacting with the law since graduating from the Kenya School of Law in 1987.
In 1993, she established Martha Koome & Co Advocates, serving as a Managing Director until 2003. The practice saw her becoming a trusted human rights defender.
The female justice rose to the Federation of Kenya Women Lawyers with a zeal for eradicating gender discrimination laws.
Serving as a council member in the Law Society of Kenya between 1993 and 1996 welcomed more opportunities despite the odds of working under President Daniel Arap Moi.
In 2003, Mwai Kibaki appointed Martha Koome as a judge in the High Court of Kenya – she served until 2011.
On April 27, 2021, Mrs. Koome succeeded the retired CJ David Maraga as a judiciary boss upon confirmation by his excellent President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Martha Koome’s net worth and salary
SRC records show that CJ Martha Koome’s salary is Ksh. 990,000 inclusive of six-figure allowances.
She banks some more from loyalties and returns from private investments. Some sources estimate the empire of Martha Koome’s wealth at Ksh. 100 million.