Kenya Methodist University will confer an honorary Doctor of Letters degree on Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Lady Justice Martha Koome, during its 26th graduation ceremony on Friday 7 November 2026, at the main campus graduation square in Meru.

Pulse and The Star both reported the announcement on 14 October 2026. In a public notice, the university said the award recognises Koome's distinguished contribution to the administration of justice, access to justice, and the protection of the rights of women and children in Kenya. University officials cited her contributions to judicial administration, systemic institutional reforms, and the protection of marginalised groups, particularly women and children.

Koome became Kenya's first woman Chief Justice when she assumed office on 21 May 2021.

The ceremony will run under the theme "Empowered to Lead, Transformed to Serve, Creating Sustainable Impact." Academic registrar notices indicate mandatory rehearsals and commissioning services for graduating students on Friday 6 November 2026. The 2026 graduation list was published on 22 October 2026; names and registration numbers from it must not be reproduced.

Earlier in October, KeMU's Vice Chancellor, Rev. Prof. John Kobia Ataya, delivered a keynote at the Economists Society of Kenya conference on 6 October, on reforming higher education to meet future labour market needs. KeMU pharmacy students also shone at the 2026 World Pharmacy Day Intervarsity Olympiad, according to a university news item dated 5 October — the detail of their result was not stated in the listing seen and is not invented here.

SOURCES:

- Pulse, 14 October 2026: https://www.pulse.co.ke/story/kenya-methodist-university-to-confer-honorary-doctorate-on-chief-justice-martha-koome-2026101408141389164

- The Star, 14 October 2026: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2026-10-14-kemu-to-award-honorary-doctorate-to-cj-koome

- KeMU graduation lists page (2026 list published 22 October 2026): https://kemu.ac.ke/graduation-lists — do not reproduce names or registration numbers.

- KeMU news listings (ESK keynote 6 October; Pharmacy Olympiad 5 October): https://kemu.ac.ke/academic-and-student-affairs-division