Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Women leaders across the country have asked Kenyans not to view Chief Justice nominee Martha Koome through tribal or gender lens but judge her based on competence, as they threw weight behind her.

Led by Public Service and Gender Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia, the women leaders said the nomination should viewed based on Justice Koome’s capability and competence to lead the Judiciary.

Already, President Uhuru Kenyatta has submitted Koome’s name to the National Assembly for vetting.

On Tuesday, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi directed the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, chaired by Kangema lawmaker Muturi Kigano, to fast-track the vetting and present a report to the House for approval or rejection.

The women congratulated her for shattering and breaking the glass ceiling to open the skies. 

Koome now joins other women leaders such as Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, Teacher Service Commission secretary Nancy Macharia, Council of Governors chief executive Jacqueline Mogeni, Salaries and Remuneration Commission chair  Lyn Mengich.

Presents report

“We are excited and welcome the nomination of Justice Koome. She has dealt with obstacles entrenched in social and cultural norms that deny leadership opportunities to women,” said CS Kobia.

“This is a solid recognition and celebration of women’s excellence, expertise and potential for leadership in their respective fields. To all girls in Kenya, may this victory inspire you to pursue your dreams.” 

Cabinet Secretaries Amina Mohamed (Sports), Betty Maina (Trade), Faridah Karoney (Lands), Sicily Kariuki (Water) and Kenya Women Parliamentary (KEWOPA) chair Gathoni Wamuchomba (Kiambu) said Koome should be accorded support.

“Just by being nominated alone is a stepping stone. As women, we should not have any setbacks. We know Koome is going to serve all Kenyans and not women,” said Amina.

“We are delighted for such a woman who has served diligently. Whatever she has done in the past has been different and we support her for the position of the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya.”

CS Kariuki said: “We salute Justice Koome and we shall continue to encourage her as she takes up the position of Chief Justice.”

“It has taken women in this country 58 years to get a female nominee for the position of CJ. Koome is not just a good lawyer, but also a good leader. We as women are tribeless in this country.

Let Parliament not look at Koome as a Meru but a leader worthy of the position,” said National Gender and Equality Commission member Priscilla Nyokabi.

Others present at the function included Chief Administrative Secretaries Racheal Shebesh (Public Service), Winnie Guchu (Interior), Principal Secretaries and State House Deputy Chief of Staff Ruth Kaigia.