We Are Not Related, Chief Justice Martha Koome and Police Boss Japhet Koome Say

Kenya’s new Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome has clarified that he is not related to Chief Justice Martha Koome.

Speaking during his swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court on Friday, Koome dismissed claims of blood ties with the chief justice, saying it was only a coincidence that they share the same name.

“Once in a while, I look at the social media and I know last night there was a talk, a discourse on the socials that Koome would be sworn in by Koome. A lot of issues but interesting discussions that CJ is about wife and husband, brother and a sister... that is not the case,” Koome remarked.

“I have no blood relationship with the CJ. It is only that she is married to one Koome Kiragu and I am Koome Nchebere, I thought I should make that clear to our fellow Kenyans,” he added.

Chief Justice Koome echoed the inspector-general’s sentiments, noting that Koome is a popular name among the Meru community.

“Thank you for clarifying that you are not my blood relative... you should also have said that the name Koome is like Wafula, Anyango, Kamau, Mohammed... in other places. It is a name that is loved by many people. It means one who is very clever... so I hope the social media corrects that,” she said.

Koome was on Friday sworn in as Kenya’s fourth Inspector-General of Police in a ceremony presided over by the chief justice. He takes over from Noor Gabow, who has held the position in an acting capacity following the early retirement of Hilary Mutyambai on health grounds.