NAIROBI, Kenya — The Supreme Court of Kenya has received continental recognition for its role in advancing constitutional democracy and transformative jurisprudence after being awarded the African Bar Association’s (AfBA) Medal of Merit for Judicial Excellence.
The AfBA lauded the Court for its leadership in upholding constitutional supremacy and strengthening democratic governance since its establishment under the 2010 Constitution.
Chief Justice Martha Koome received the award on behalf of the Court during a ceremony attended by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and Justices Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola, and William Ouko.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, Koome said the award was both a celebration and a reminder of the Judiciary’s duty to serve Kenyans with integrity, fairness, and fidelity to the Constitution.
“We are humbled that the work of the Supreme Court, born out of duty and guided by conscience, has found resonance beyond our borders,” she said. “This recognition affirms not only the effort of one court but the collective spirit of a nation that believes in the rule of law.”
The Chief Justice noted that the accolade underscores Kenya’s democratic maturity and the public’s enduring faith in the Judiciary, even during periods of political contestation.
“It reminds us that the trust placed in the Judiciary must be earned daily through fairness, integrity, and excellence,” she added, paying tribute to her colleagues for their contribution to the Court’s achievements.
Supreme Court of Kenya Honoured with African Bar Association’s Judicial Excellence Award The Supreme Court of Kenya has been conferred with the African Bar Association (AfBA) prestigious Medal of Merit for Judicial Excellence. The Association recognized the Court’s outstanding
The AfBA, headquartered in Accra, Ghana, commended the Supreme Court for ushering in a new era of transformative constitutionalism through landmark rulings that have shaped governance and electoral integrity across Africa.
In its citation, the Association highlighted key decisions including:
- The 2012 Advisory Opinion on the two-thirds gender principle;
- The Rai v Rai ruling advancing social justice;
- The Court’s decision to adopt African-oriented judicial attire;
- The Peter Munya vs Dickson Mwenda election petition; and
- The 2017 and 2022 presidential election petitions, which reinforced Kenya’s democratic order.
The Association noted that the Court’s handling of the 2022 presidential election petition set a “gold standard for judicial excellence in Africa” by reinforcing constitutional order, promoting trust in electoral justice, and helping avert potential instability.
“African courts are not merely followers of global justice, but leaders in shaping it,” CJ Koome observed, reaffirming the Court’s commitment to nurturing jurisprudence that protects human dignity and strengthens democracy.
The award was presented by Advocate Charles Kihara, AfBA Vice President for East Africa, who was accompanied by Advocate Nicholas Sumba, AfBA Director of Information and Publicity, and Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama and Kamau Karori.
The African Bar Association praised the Supreme Court as a “pillar of democratic resilience”, recognising its contribution to judicial independence and rule of law on the continent.
