NAIROBI — Chief Justice Martha Koome has vowed that the courts will remain an unflinching check on the abuse of power, declaring that the Judiciary’s loyalty to the Constitution “remains unshaken.”
Speaking during Katiba Day celebrations in Nairobi on Wednesday, which marked 15 years since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, Koome said the courts would continue to protect citizens’ rights and ensure that no arm of government operates above the law.
“As Chief Justice, I take this opportunity to reassure Kenyans of our unwavering fidelity to the Constitution,” she said. “We shall continue to administer justice without fear or favour, to check abuses of power, and to defend the rights of Kenyans where necessary.”
The 2010 Constitution, hailed as a turning point in Kenya’s democratic journey, ushered in sweeping reforms designed to strengthen the separation of powers, embed accountability, and expand judicial independence. Koome described its enactment as a rebirth for the nation.
“That moment represented not only a legal transition but a rebirth of our nation,” she recalled, pointing to the public celebrations at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park on August 27, 2010. “It was a profound political and social moment, born from decades of struggle and a collective yearning for a more just, equitable, and democratic society.”
Koome said one of the Constitution’s most significant achievements has been safeguarding judicial independence. She also highlighted how the courts have enforced the principle of public participation, striking down laws and policies where citizens were not adequately consulted.
“The Judiciary has given life to the principle of public participation, striking down legislation where citizens were inadequately consulted,” she noted, stressing that such safeguards cannot be ignored.
Beyond legal rulings, Koome said reforms have extended the Judiciary’s reach to ordinary Kenyans. Before 2010, High Courts were found mostly in provincial capitals. Today, she said, court stations and registries exist in every county, while digital platforms have been rolled out to make justice more accessible.
“Court infrastructure has been expanded nationwide,” she said, adding that Kenyans no longer need to travel vast distances to seek justice.
The Chief Justice’s remarks come at a time when the balance of power between institutions remains under scrutiny, with courts frequently asked to rule on disputes involving Parliament, the Executive, and independent commissions.
Her pledge was clear: the courts will not waver in their role as guardians of the Constitution. “So long as I serve as Chief Justice,” Koome said, “the Judiciary will continue to safeguard rights, uphold justice, and check any abuse of power without fear or favour.”