By Peter Ochieng
Chief Justice Martha Karambu Koome is the 2023 African Female Leader of the Year award winner.
She was feted at a ceremony held in Ethiopia’s Capital Addis Ababa, on Friday night.
The African Persons of the Year Awards celebrates individuals who contribute significantly to the continent’s advancement, inspire the future, and positively transform the continent’s image on the global stage.
The African Persons of the Year ceremony is a flagship annual event of the African Leadership Magazine, which has been held consecutively for the past 12 years.
It convenes policymakers, private sector leaders, civil society leaders, thought leaders, and all stakeholders from across Africa and the rest of the world to discuss issues bothering on Africa’s socio-economic growth and development.
Koome was voted for her trailblazing leadership as the first female Chief Justice of Kenya, as well as accomplishments in the Judiciary, especially in improving access to justice, promoting gender equality within the legal system, and advancing judicial reforms to strengthen the rule of law in Kenya.
“This award is not mine alone to claim. It is an accolade that I dedicate wholeheartedly to the institution I am privileged to lead, the Judiciary of Kenya. This recognition shines a light on our collective endeavor to establish a truly people-centered justice system. A system that is responsive and attuned to the needs, experiences, and expectations of the Kenyan people, especially those who are marginalized and vulnerable,” she said in her acceptance speech.
The Chief Justice emphasized on the importance of rededicating efforts to Africa’s development, fostering a culture of excellence, and establishing systems and institutions that serve the interests of all.
“This recognition spurs us to persist in our pursuit of leadership excellence and to relentlessly enhance the quality-of-service delivery by our institutions. It is a call to action for all of us to continue working tirelessly for the advancement of our continent and its people.”
“This recognition shines a light on our collective endeavour to establish a justice system that is truly people-centred; a system that is responsive and attuned to the needs, experiences, and expectations of the Kenyan people, especially those who are marginalised and vulnerable. These individuals, often overlooked, are the very ones who most require the protection and service of our justice system,” she added.
Past winners of the African Persons of the Year Awards include former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Sudanese Businessman Mo Ibrahim, former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization (WHO).