Chief Justice Martha Koome with His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Kingdom of Netherlands when they paid a visit to the Judiciary on March 20, 2025/ JUDICIARYChief Justice Martha Koome on Thursday hosted His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi.
The royal couple continued to affirm the strong bilateral ties between Kenya and the Netherlands, underscoring their shared commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and good governance.
“An independent judiciary is the cornerstone of the country’s democracy, protecting the Constitution, guaranteeing fair trials, and safeguarding citizens’ rights and freedoms,” Koome said.
She reiterated the Judiciary’s unwavering stance against any external, political, or private influences that could compromise impartiality.
She noted that impartial courts serve as a bedrock for long-term national stability.
The parties also looked into people-centred justice and the strong Dutch support where Koome highlighted transformative initiatives aimed at making justice more accessible.
The initiatives have found ready support from the Dutch government through the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO).
These include the specialised Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) courts, which adopt survivor-centered, trauma-informed processes to support vulnerable groups.
“Additionally, the introduction of the Small Claims Court has expedited commercial dispute resolution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), fostering a more conducive environment for economic growth while ensuring justice remains swift and efficient for all,” Koome added.
Thirdly, they talked about the female-led justice sector, which served to showcase Kenya’s significant strides in female leadership within the justice sector.
CJ Koome was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung’u, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, and Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, underscoring the progress and impact of women in key leadership roles.
Deputy Chief Registrar Paul Ndemo represented Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya at the event.
Together, they exemplified Kenya’s commitment to creating inclusive and gender-responsive legal frameworks that uphold equality and empower women at every level.
Chief Justice Koome also emphasised the Judiciary’s commitment to tackling corruption, promoting climate justice, and addressing the misuse of police powers—collaborating with relevant agencies to remain adaptive and responsive to society’s evolving needs.
During the visit, The Majesties toured the Judiciary Museum located in the basement of the Supreme Court Building, gaining insights into Kenya’s rich legal heritage and the Judiciary’s contributions to the country’s democratic and constitutional reforms.
The Royal Couple’s historic visit to the Judiciary reaffirmed the significance of strong, independent justice institutions and illustrated the depth of Kenya-Netherlands cooperation in promoting democratic values, protecting human rights, and advancing sustainable, people-centred justice.
