Chief Justice Martha Koome has urged Kenyans to embrace ethics and integrity as essential pillars in building a just society.

Koome made the remarks while addressing the Global Leadership Summit at CITAM Karen on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

In a post on her official X account, Koome reflected on the theme, “National Ethics for a Just Society”, noting, “I was honoured to address the ongoing Global Leadership Summit at Citam, Karen, this morning, on the theme National Ethics for a Just Society.”

Call for ethical living

Koome emphasised that leadership transcends titles or positions, framing it instead as a daily commitment to service and justice. “In my remarks, I emphasised that leadership is not about titles or offices; it is a daily calling to serve others and to bend the moral arc of our society towards justice,” she said.

The Chief Justice called for a collective effort to instil ethical values across all areas of life. “We must always remember that ethics and integrity are not values built only in Parliament or enforced only in courts. They must be nurtured at home, taught in schools, modelled in workplaces, and lived out in the choices we make every day,” she stated.

Judiciary’s reform agenda

Highlighting the Judiciary’s role in this agenda, Koome outlined initiatives under the ‘Social Transformation through Access to Justice’ (STAJ) Blueprint launched in 2023. She noted that the judiciary is embedding ethics, transparency and accountability into its institutional framework.

Key measures include the establishment of Court Integrity Committees and Integrity Assurance Officers across all court stations. She also cited revamped complaints-handling mechanisms at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the Office of the Judiciary Ombudsman, aimed at ensuring efficient resolution of grievances.

Technology, she added, has further enhanced transparency in judicial operations.

Judicial credibility

Koome’s leadership has, however, come under criticism. On September 25, 2025, former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi alleged that the Judiciary’s reputation had reached its lowest point under her tenure. “Never before, in the history of Kenya, has the reputation of the judiciary plummeted this low,” Havi wrote on X, accusing her of undermining judicial independence.

In a separate development, Koome hosted the Auditor General on September 12, 2025, where she announced the adoption of a new financial management system to improve accountability. “One of the milestones in this journey is the adoption of the system, which has significantly improved the way we manage and utilise our resources,” she said.