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Chief Justice Martha Koome has today officially assumed office at the Supreme Court building.
Receiving instruments of power from Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mbete Mwilu, Koome said she is delighted to take over the leadership of the judiciary at a time when the momentum for transformation is on an upward trajectory.
“We will continue that trajectory and ensure that at any given time, no case should be in the justice system for longer than three (3) years. This is a target that is possible to achieve if we all embraced a case management system and the multi-door approaches that are now available to us such as the court users committees, court annexed mediation, small claims court and alternative justice systems.” She noted.
She noted that her team will work on building relationships with other actors in the administration of justice to reach their court users and other parties with a view of building their capacity with knowledge that will empower them to bear their own agency and to become champions for justice.
”When everybody becomes an agent and champion for justice, I believe this country will start looking for our own indigenous solutions that lead to reconciliation and peace. Moreover, many will avoid violence, conflict and other pitfalls or black spots that lead to endless court cases.” she added.
Lady Justice Effie Owuor, the Kenya’s first female magistrate was among the distinguished guests.
According to Effie, there have been many changes in the Judiciary since she first walked in half a century ago as a magistrate.
“I will talk briefly about the change that has been in this institution about half a century ago. … I know where we have come from. I did not even know where to powder my nose….the male judges told me I cannot go to where they go because we do everything else differently. I said okay, I will be going to the Hilton hotel daily until the CJ gave up his toilet to make peace between me and the male judges” she said.
She added that one of the major breakthroughs was getting the judicial title ‘Lady Justice’ albeit ridicule by male judges.
“They did not even know what they would call me. Someone was told to write a brief on how I should be called. Others said ‘Mrs Judge’ others said Lady Justice which they finally settled on. It became a debate. The naughty advocates would make fun of the title and call me ‘ooh my lady’ and I would tell them am not your lady, it offended me. . It was not easy breaking into this place” she explained.
Meanwhile, Former Chief Justice David Maraga urged her to keep reminding Kenyans that constitutional power is constraint power.
Attorney General Kihara Kariuki reminded the CJ that in discharging the mandate that Kenyans have bestowed upon her, the biggest task is to dispense justice.
Koome was sworn in as Chief Justice last week in a ceremony attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi.
The oath was administered by Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi.
Kenyatta said that it was a great honour to be the first president to swear in the first female to head an arm of government.
“I celebrate the confirmation of a new Chief Justice, but for me, a particularly singular honour to be the first president to swear in the first female Chief Justice of the republic of Kenya. It is not for me to tell you how to execute your work,” he said.
Koome reiterated that it was her mandate to protect the independence of the Judiciary, while at the same time ensure appropriate cooperation with the other arms of government in a bid to ensure that judicial functions are supported for smooth delivery of timely justice.
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