[PHOTOS] Dutch Royal couple visit to Judiciary

The Royal Couple held bilateral discussions with the Judiciary around three main areas.

by EMMANUEL WANJALA

Realtime20 March 2025 - 19:00

In Summary

The Royal Couple is on a State Visit to Kenya.
Their visit affirms the strong bilateral ties between Kenya and the Netherlands and underscoring their shared commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and good governance.

Chief Justice Martha Koome on Thursday hosted His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the Supreme Court building in Nairobi.

The Royal Couple is on a State Visit to Kenya, affirming the strong bilateral ties between Kenya and the Netherlands and underscoring their shared commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and good governance.

The Royal Couple held bilateral discussions with the Judiciary around three main areas:

JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE AND NATIONAL STABILITY

Chief Justice Koome emphasised that an independent Judiciary is the cornerstone of Kenya’s democracy, protecting the constitution, guaranteeing fair trials, and safeguarding citizens rights and freedoms.

She reiterated the Judiciary’s unwavering stance against any external, political, or private influences that could compromise impartiality, noting that impartial courts serve as a bedrock for long-term national stability.

PEOPLE-CENTRED JUSTICE AND THE STRONG DUTCH SUPPORT

The Chief Justice highlighted transformative initiatives aimed at making justice more accessible, which have found ready support from the Dutch government through the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO).

These include the Specialised Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Courts, which adopt survivor-centered, trauma-informed processes to support vulnerable groups.

Additionally, the introduction of the Small Claims Court has expedited commercial dispute resolution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), fostering a more conducive environment for economic growth while ensuring justice remains swift and efficient for all.

Female-led justice sector

The occasion served to showcase Kenya’s significant strides in female leadership within the justice sector.

Chief Justice Koome was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung’u, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, and Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, underscoring the progress and impact of women in key leadership roles.

Deputy Chief Registrar Paul Ndemo represented Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya at the event.

Together, they exemplified Kenya’s commitment to creating inclusive and gender-responsive legal frameworks that uphold equality and empower women at every level.

Chief Justice Koome also emphasised the Judiciary’s commitment to tackling corruption, promoting climate justice, and addressing the misuse of police powers—collaborating with relevant agencies to remain adaptive and responsive to society’s evolving needs.

During the visit, Their Majesties toured the Judiciary Museum located in the basement of the Supreme Court Building, gaining insights into 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-centred justice.