Martha Koome’s nomination for the Chief Justice position invited curiosity about her professional and private life.
While interviewing for the position, Justice Koome mentioned that she is married with three children.
Until March 2021, her husband Koome Kiragu served as the chairman of the Habitat for Humanity-Kenya.
The organisation is part of a global movement that seeks to enable vulnerable people to access better housing and enhance their quality of life.
In his role, he led various programs to help communities in need to develop proper housing and improve water use, sanitation, energy access and land tenure.
Kiragu partnered with corporate players such as banks as well as government bodies to provide decent housing to Kenyan communities.
In 2018, he secured Ksh96 million funding to help 120 families build affordable homes for Ksh800,000 per unit in collaboration with Homa Bay County Government.
Kiragu also partnered with a local bank to build homes for internally displaced persons living in Mai Mahiu.
He had worked with the over 300 families who were able to pool money and buy land for resettlement.
Other than residential homes, Kiragu also helped build schools in different parts of the county and was recognised as a county hero by Laikipia County Government.
He made his mark at the NGO and has served as a member of the organization’s international board and elected to the executive governing board, which made him the only African in that body.
Some of his duties required him to travel abroad and Justice Koome would accompany him on some trips.
