Chief Justice Martha Koome presiding over the admission of 920 advocates to the bar on November 20, 2025/SCREENGRAB
Chief Justice Martha Koome has celebrated what she described as a historic moment in Kenya’s legal profession after presiding over the admission of 920 new advocates to the bar.
This marked one of the largest single cohorts to be admitted under her tenure.
Speaking during the ceremony held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Koome expressed immense pride in the milestone, noting that she has now overseen the admission of nearly 10,000 of the 27,000 advocates currently enrolled in the country.
The CJ described the day as a triumph not just for the new lawyers, but for the nation’s justice sector, which continues to expand its pool of legal talent.
Koome said she views each admission ceremony as a significant investment in the country’s constitutional promise and the strengthening of access to justice.
"I think I have admitted about 10,000 of the 27,000 advocates. I also think I am the chief justice who has admitted the most advocates and because I always say the more the merrier!,” she remarked.
The CJ added that the steady rise in admissions reflects a growing demand for legal services and the transformation of the profession.
Koome celebrated the feat while warmly congratulating the latest cohort, many of whom she said had endured long, demanding academic and professional journeys culminating in the prestigious appointment.
She emphasised that the success of the justice sector depends on nurturing a robust, ethical and service-oriented legal community, urging the new advocates to uphold dignity, discipline and integrity as they embark on their careers.
"I have not been brought any (advocate) to strike off the row and we are not just going to begin now with the 920," she revealed.
The CJ also offered herself as a mentor to the new entrants, assuring them of her commitment to support and guide them as they establish themselves in the legal field.
She said her prayers for them began long before the ceremony, during her review of the numerous files that had been submitted for the call to the bar.
Admitting advocates, she said, is one of the most fulfilling responsibilities of her office because it represents a generational transition and the renewal of Kenya’s legal system.
"My prayers for you have not just started. It started when I started interacting with the many files that were brought so that I could admit 920 of you," she stated.
Koome further encouraged the advocates to pursue excellence and to serve with compassion, noting that many Kenyans will look to them for advice as they navigate disputes, seek justice or require representation in various forums.
“May many Kenyans seek your counsel and be very proud of you the way I am,” she told them.
The CJ closed her address with a charge to the cohort to bring honour to the profession and to become advocates who inspire public trust.
She said their success should be felt not only in their personal careers but also in the communities they serve and the broader justice system they are joining.
“May your work succeed and bring dignity to your families, communities and this noble profession,” she said.
With the admission of the 920 advocates, Koome reaffirmed her belief in widening opportunities within the justice system and strengthening Kenya’s legal future through inclusive and merit-based admission to the bar.
