Lady Chief Justice Martha Koome unveils autobiography ‘Courting Courage’
February 23, 2026 | 12:37 pm
Kenya’s Lady Chief Justice Martha Koome has released her long-awaited autobiography, Courting Courage, offering an intimate account of her personal journey, judicial career, and the defining moments that shaped her rise to the country’s highest judicial office.
The book chronicles Koome’s life from her early years in Meru County to her historic appointment in 2021 as Kenya’s first woman Chief Justice. More than a personal memoir, Courting Courage is positioned as a reflection on leadership, integrity, and resilience within a judiciary often tested by political pressure, public scrutiny, and institutional reform demands.
Speaking during the book’s launch, Koome described the autobiography as both a personal reckoning and a public conversation about courage in public service. She noted that the decision to write the book was motivated by a desire to demystify the judiciary and humanize those who serve within it. “Behind every judicial decision is a human being who has wrestled with doubt, fear, and conviction,” she said.
In Courting Courage, Koome recounts her formative years, legal education, and early practice at a time when the legal profession in Kenya remained overwhelmingly male-dominated. She reflects candidly on moments of self-doubt and resistance, particularly as she navigated courtrooms and leadership spaces where women were rarely seen or heard.
The autobiography traces her ascent through the judicial ranks, including her tenure as a High Court judge and later as President of the Court of Appeal. Koome offers behind-the-scenes insights into landmark cases, administrative reforms, and the ethical dilemmas faced by judges operating in politically sensitive environments.
Central to the book is Koome’s account of her nomination and vetting as Chief Justice, a process she describes as both affirming and deeply challenging. She writes about the weight of expectation that came with breaking a historic gender barrier, while also inheriting an institution grappling with public trust deficits and internal reform pressures.
Beyond personal narrative, Courting Courage engages substantively with broader questions of judicial independence and constitutionalism. Koome defends the role of the judiciary as a co-equal arm of government, emphasizing that courts must remain firm even when decisions provoke political backlash.
She documents efforts undertaken during her tenure to strengthen accountability, reduce case backlogs, and expand access to justice, particularly for marginalized communities. The book also acknowledges resistance to reform from within and outside the judiciary, portraying institutional change as a gradual and often contested process.
Koome does not shy away from addressing criticism leveled against the courts, including accusations of judicial overreach. Instead, she frames such debates as evidence of a maturing constitutional democracy where the rule of law is actively negotiated and defended.
A recurring theme in Courting Courage is mentorship and the responsibility of leadership to open doors for others. Koome dedicates significant attention to encouraging young lawyers—especially women—to pursue judicial careers without fear or self-limitation.
She positions her story not as an exceptional tale, but as proof that perseverance, ethical grounding, and courage can gradually reshape institutions. “The courage to serve must be renewed every day,” she writes, “because justice is not sustained by titles, but by conviction.”
The release of Courting Courage comes at a moment when Kenya’s judiciary remains central to national debates on governance, accountability, and constitutional interpretation. Observers note that the book provides valuable context for understanding the internal dynamics of the courts, while also contributing to the broader literature on leadership in public institutions.
As both memoir and institutional reflection, Courting Courage stands as a significant addition to Kenya’s legal and political discourse. It offers readers a rare window into the life of a jurist who has helped shape the country’s constitutional era – while inviting reflection on the courage required to uphold justice in complex times.