Chief Justice Martha Koome has urged state agencies to recommit to the obligations set out in Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, warning that the country’s human rights gains will stall unless leaders exercise integrity and accountability.
She issued the call during the closing session of the 2nd High Court Annual Human Rights Summit held in Nairobi.
In remarks shared on her official X account, Koome said recent discussions at the summit underscored that ethical leadership is essential to safeguarding constitutionalism.
She noted that the Constitution was designed to anchor dignity, equality, and justice for every citizen—principles that have shaped Kenya’s political and judicial reforms since the post-2007 crisis period and the subsequent push for a rights-based governance framework.
Koome highlighted that the High Court’s human rights rulings over the past 15 years have set important precedents, including judgments that expanded civil liberties and clarified protections for marginalised groups.
However, she cautioned that the impact of these decisions often falls short on the ground, where many Kenyans still struggle to access justice or enforce their rights.
According to her statement, bridging the gap between legal victories and lived realities should remain a priority for all public institutions.
Turning to corruption, Koome pointed to the High Court’s asset forfeiture jurisprudence as a critical tool in dismantling networks of illicit wealth.
She argued that such decisions demonstrate that “ill-gotten wealth has no sanctuary in law,” attributing the quote directly to her X post.
The issue remains central in Kenya’s governance debates, especially amid longstanding public concern over the misuse of public resources and the slow pace of high-profile graft cases.
Koome also stressed that public power must be exercised as a trust held on behalf of citizens, not as a personal entitlement.
She said the judiciary, together with other arms of government, must uphold courage, transparency, and fairness in delivering services and enforcing the Constitution.
The Chief Justice encouraged judges and summit participants to remain committed to strengthening human rights protections as Kenya approaches future electoral cycles, where questions of fairness, police conduct, and access to justice often come to the forefront.
She concluded her message by expressing hope that every Kenyan will feel recognised and protected within the justice system, reiterating that this commitment is central to the constitutional order.