Chief Justice Martha Koome holds up her honorary Doctor of Letters certificate at Kenya Methodist University's 26th graduation ceremony in Meru on Saturday 7 November 2026. (PHOTO: @CJMarthaKoome/X, via People Daily)

Chief Justice Martha Koome has received an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree from Kenya Methodist University (KeMU), during the institution's 26th graduation ceremony held today, Saturday 7 November 2026, at the university's main campus in Meru.

The honorary degree was formally conferred on her by the university's Chancellor, in recognition of her contribution to the legal profession, human rights and the advancement of justice, People Daily reported.

Koome, who became Kenya's first woman Chief Justice when she assumed office on 21 May 2021, said she was deeply honoured and humbled by the recognition, describing it as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with professional achievement and leadership.

"To me, it is a powerful reminder that the true measure of education, leadership and professional achievement lies not in personal accomplishment, but in how meaningfully we use our knowledge, skills and positions to serve others and transform lives," she said.

She thanked the university's Chancellor, Board of Trustees, University Council, Senate, management, faculty and the entire KeMU fraternity for the honour, and congratulated the Class of 2026, urging the graduates to use what they have learnt to serve humanity, uphold integrity and make a lasting difference in their communities and the nation.

The ceremony ran under the theme "Empowered to Lead, Transformed to Serve, Creating Sustainable Impact", and was broadcast live on Citizen TV and streamed on the university's Facebook page and YouTube channel. Mandatory rehearsals and commissioning services for the graduating students were held on Friday 6 November, ahead of the ceremony.

The graduation went ahead a week after around 1,000 finalists said they had been left off the graduation list despite clearance, a claim Campus Pulse reported on 1 November from the students' letter. No updated list or university response to that claim had been published by the time of the ceremony.