Kenya Supports Judge Okowa for Full Nine-Year ICJ Term

Kenya has initiated a diplomatic campaign to secure a full nine-year term for Judge Phoebe Okowa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This effort underscores Kenya’s increasing influence in international legal circles.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally endorsed Judge Okowa to continue her service at the ICJ following her election in November 2025 to complete a previous term. The government intends to ensure her re-election in 2026, solidifying Kenya’s representation at the United Nations’ highest judicial body in The Hague.

Judge Okowa’s Background

Judge Okowa’s career has progressed rapidly. Born in Kericho, she studied at the University of Nairobi and Oxford. She became the first Kenyan elected to the ICJ, succeeding in a competitive election against candidates from Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Kenya’s Diplomatic Strategy

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei has described Judge Okowa’s candidacy as a “national imperative.” The government is actively working to mobilize support within the African Union bloc to ensure her election to the full term in the 2026 elections. Prior to her ICJ appointment, Judge Okowa served on the UN International Law Commission and has been involved in international dispute resolution, contributing an African perspective to global legal matters.

Significance for Kenya

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Judge Okowa exemplifies the quality of Kenya’s legal professionals. Her presence at the ICJ is viewed as a strategic advantage for Kenya and the African continent, providing a voice in the resolution of complex international legal disputes. The campaign for the vote, scheduled for later this year in New York, positions Judge Okowa as a representative of Kenyan excellence and a potential shaper of international law for the coming decade.