Lady Justice Martha Koome was on Thursday, May 13, put on the spot by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) during the Chief Justice vetting process.
JLAC member and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed had a rather unusual question for Koome over her past relations with the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and whether she harboured animosity towards the male gender.
"There's talk that you are a feminist and you hate men. Please clarify that " Junet posed.
"I have decided many cases where I have declared rights for men. One case is where a father wanted to throw out his sons from his farm because he believed that they are grown men and ought to fend for themselves. I dismissed the case.
"I am a judge who looks at men, women, children, society, and Kenyans at large in the same manner. I follow the dictates of the constitution and can never operate outside its legal framework. I don't hate men as a matter of fact I've been married for the last 35 years," she stated.
The CJ nominee was questioned to explain a number of things she would change within the judicial process if she rises to head the judiciary.
"In my early days as an advocate, I did not just focus on making money but how we could improve governance and enhance access to justice therefore I represented various people such as political detainees, persons charged with politically instigated offenses such as treason and illegal meetings," she stated.
The lady justice is also known for surrounding herself with accomplished women comprising of lawyers and political figures such as NARC party leader Martha Karua, divorce lawyer Judy Thongori, Kenya's first Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza.
The judge had outranked other top legal minds in the country in order to be nominated by the Judicial Service Commission as the country's first female CJ.
Koome, during her hay days, was renowned for her role in advocating for women's rights through FIDA where she was elected as its chairperson in 2001.
She became a judge of the High court two years later where she handled critical cases in the country's judicial system.
Koome was later appointed to become the judge of the Court of Appeal in 2012 where she serves to date.
