Chief Justice Hon Martha Koome Commends FIDA-Kenya, Backs Expanded Partnership on Justice Reforms

Updated on July 14, 2026
by Comms Team

By Mark Owuor Otieno

NAIROBI, July 14, 2026 – The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) has reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the Judiciary following a high-level courtesy visit to Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court Hon. Martha Koome, EGH, CBS. Both institutions agreed to work more closely to improve access to justice, strengthen mediation, address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and tackle the rising issue of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).

This meeting carried special significance as Chief Justice Koome is a FIDA-Kenya Life Member and previously served as Vice Chairperson from 1996 to 1998 and as Chairperson from 1998 to 2000.

Chief Justice Koome welcomed the delegation and praised FIDA-Kenya for its many years of work in advancing justice and supporting women’s rights. She called the organization one of the Judiciary’s most reliable and long-standing partners.

She also recognized FIDA-Kenya members for their strong record in public service and thanked the organization for its ongoing support of the Judiciary’s transformation efforts.

The Chief Justice said that in 2026–2027, the Judiciary will focus on improving how judicial officers perform and are held accountable to the public. She added that the Judiciary will keep investing in better institutions, infrastructure, anti-corruption efforts, and partnerships to strengthen justice delivery. She further emphasised that the Judiciary is making Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases a top priority by using trauma-informed approaches that focus on the needs of survivors and victims.

Chief Justice Koome acknowledged FIDA-Kenya’s long experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution, noting that the organization started mediation programs as early as 1996. She welcomed FIDA-Kenya’s plans to become an accredited mediation training institution.

She promised that the Judiciary would support FIDA-Kenya’s accreditation, saying that building more mediation capacity will help make alternative dispute resolution stronger and justice quicker and easier to access.

The Chief Justice also highlighted the importance of preparing judicial officers to handle new types of violence against women online. She said the Judiciary is ready to help develop policies and build skills to address Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).

She said it is essential to train judges and magistrates to handle TFGBV cases, especially as digital technology becomes a bigger part of public life and access to justice.

During the meeting, Board Chairperson Ms Christine Kungu updated the Chief Justice on FIDA-Kenya’s strategic priorities and areas for continued collaboration with the Judiciary. Ms Kungu commended the Judiciary’s leadership under the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) framework, particularly the expansion of Alternative Justice Systems (AJS), Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM), Specialised Gender Justice Courts and the innovative Mahakama Popote virtual courtroom initiative.

Ms Kungu also called for Specialised Gender Justice Courts to be expanded and set up in all 47 counties, so survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence can get justice more quickly.

Recognising the growing threat posed by online abuse targeting women, Ms Kungu also urged continuous capacity building for judicial officers who handle election disputes and digital violence cases. She also shared that FIDA-Kenya has developed a new policy framework on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence and is ready to share it with the Judiciary to help create training materials, guides, and survivor-focused approaches for digital violence cases.

On mediation, Ms Kungu reaffirmed FIDA-Kenya’s commitment to promoting Alternative Justice Systems, saying that in 2025, the organization successfully mediated about 419 out of 577 cases, which is a 74% success rate. She added that becoming an accredited mediation training institution is a key part of their sustainability plan for 2023–2027.

Ms Kungu also highlighted FIDA-Kenya’s leadership in national law reform efforts, including chairing the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) Working Committee reviewing the Sexual Offences Act and Gender-Based Violence laws. She outlined FIDA-Kenya’s continued advocacy for stronger legal measures against femicide, including recognition of femicide as a distinct criminal offence, enhanced survivor protection mechanisms and strengthened institutional responses.

As part of its sustainability plans, FIDA-Kenya informed the Chief Justice of progress in acquiring the FIDA-Kenya Mediation Centre, which is set to officially open in March 2027 during International Women’s Day celebrations.

The FIDA-Kenya delegation was led by Board Chairperson Ms Christine Kungu. Other attendees included Cynthia Osiro (Vice Chairperson), Angela Mwadumbo (Secretary), Jane Onyango (Treasurer), Phyllis Chepkemboi (Upcountry Representative), Elizabeth M. Mvoi (Coast Representative), Cynthia Mudaye (Member), Ilham Hisham (Member), and Lucy Mulago (Member). The Secretariat was represented by Sophie Kaibiria (Executive Director), Janet Anyango (Deputy Executive Director), and Elizabeth Gichohi (Programme Officer).