King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of Netherlands today paid a courtesy call to Chief Justice Martha Koome at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi.
The Royal Couple who are on a State visit to Kenya, affirmed the strong bilateral ties between Kenya and the Netherlands.
King Willem also underscored Netherlands shared commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and good governance.
The bilateral areas that the CJ and the Royal Couple discussed were on Judicial independence and national stability.
Chief Justice Koome who reiterated the Judiciary’s unwavering stance against external, political, or private influences that could compromise impartiality emphasized that impartial courts serve as a bedrock for long-term national stability.
“An independent Judiciary is the cornerstone of Kenya’s democracy in protecting the Constitution, guaranteeing fair trials, and safeguarding citizens’ rights and freedoms,” said Koome.
She said the transformative initiatives being undertaken by the Judiciary which aims at making justice more accessible have found ready support from the Dutch Government through the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).
The transformative initiatives include the Specialized Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Courts, which adopt survivor-centered and trauma-informed processes to support vulnerable groups.
The CJ stated that the introduction of the Small Claims Court has expedited commercial dispute resolution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which she noted has fostered a more conducive environment for economic growth while ensuring justice remains swift and efficient for all.
“The Female-Led Justice Sector has served to showcase Kenya’s significant strides in female leadership within the justice sector,” remarked the CJ.
Koome also reiterated the Judiciary’s commitment in tackling corruption, promoting climate justice, and addressing the misuse of police powers, as well as its collaboration with relevant agencies to remain adaptive and responsive to society’s evolving needs.
During the visit, King Willem and Queen Máxima toured the Judiciary Museum located in the basement of the Supreme Court Building, where they saw Kenya’s rich legal heritage and the Judiciary’s contributions to the country’s democratic and constitutional reforms.
The Royal Couple’s historic visit to the Judiciary reaffirmed the significance of strong, independent justice institutions and illustrated the depth of Kenya-Netherlands cooperation in promoting democratic values, protecting human rights, and advancing sustainable, people-centre justice.
Present at the event were the Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung’u, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo and Deputy Chief Registrar Paul Ndemo.
By Bernadette Khaduli
