Chief Justice Martha Koome has handled some high-voltage cases 15 months after she took office, proving the naysayers wrong.
As the President of the Supreme Court, some of these cases have put her in the limelight and the verdicts rubbing part of the political class, the wrong way.
Justice Koome has since proved majority of Kenyans wrong with her unbowed legal stand to paint a clear picture that she can be at the helm of such a powerful arm of government, that ensures fair access to justice for all. Here are some of these cases;
BBI
CJ Koome led the 7-bench judge that stopped President Uhuru Kenyatta's bid to make constitutional changes through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Millions of Kenyans had expected the apex court to rule in favour of Uhuru who had the support of his foe-turned-protege Raila Odinga when they endorsed the initiative.
All the Judges, save for Njoki Ndung'u, agreed that the Second Schedule of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court ruled that the issue of creating new constituencies must undergo meaningful public participation. This was not the case in the BBI matter.
“There was no evidence of deliberations or public participation on the change of the Bill to add the Second Schedule,” Justice Koome ruled.
The Court stopped BBI reggae.
CDF Fund
A five-judge bench led by Koome ruled that the CDF Act was unlawful for violating the principle of separation of powers between the county and national governments.
The bench ruled that the CDF Act 2013 that allowed Members of Parliament to manage funds offended the division of the revenue and public finance law.
The ruling quashed the Court of Appeal's decision that had initially allowed the enactment of the CDF Act 2013.
"A declaration is hereby made that the Constituency Development Fund Act, 2013 is unconstitutional. Each party to bear their own costs," the judgement read in part.
Mike Sonko impeachment
CJ Koome ended a protracted legal battle involving former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on his suitability to hold office.
The ruling meant that the embattled politician is not allowed to hold any public office through elective politics or appointment.
“We come to the irresistible conclusion that the impeachment of the appellant was in compliance with the Constitution and the law. We therefore find no merit in the Petition of Appeal. It bears mentioning in conclusion that Chapter Six of the Constitution was not enacted in vain or for cosmetic reasons,” said the Supreme Court.
Sonko took issue with the CJ for being part in the ruling that was delivered on July 15 despite having announced her stand on the case.
"Koome was heard clearly saying that I will not be on the ballot. We had written and we wanted her to recuse from the bench, but shock on us she was among the judges," Sonko stated.
All eyes are once again on the Supreme Court with Azimio team expected to challenge the outcome of the presidential elections, after IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati declared William Ruto President-elect.
The 7-judge bench will have 14 days to deliver its ruling, a judgement that could send Kenyans back to the ballot, order recount or uphold Ruto's win.
