Kenya’s Professor Phoebe Okowa has been elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), marking a historic achievement for the country on the global legal stage.
The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei on Wednesday night, through his official X account.
Sing’oei revealed that Prof. Okowa secured the position after four rounds of voting by both the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the UN Security Council, outpacing three other candidates.
“After four rounds of voting, Prof Phoebe Okowa has been duly elected by both the UNGA and UN Security Council, a judge of the International Court of Justice @CIJ_ICJ, defeating three other candidates,” he said.
The PS praised Okowa’s victory as a reflection of her judicial expertise and Kenya’s reputation internationally.
He also acknowledged the efforts of Kenya’s diplomatic teams in New York and Geneva, saying, “This victory demonstrates confidence in Prof. Okowa’s judicial competence and Kenya’s standing. I commend our New York and Geneva Teams for leading the charge.”
Prof. Okowa was officially nominated by Kenya in March 2025 for the ICJ judgeship. A letter shared by Sing’oei on March 1 indicated that Kenya’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations communicated her nomination to the Permanent Mission of Djibouti, which coordinates Eastern Africa’s candidatures.
The letter requested support from African Group member states to back her bid.
“The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Djibouti to the United Nations, in its capacity as Coordinator of the Eastern African Sub-region on Candidatures, and has the honour to inform of the nomination of Professor Phoebe Okowa by the Kenya National Group to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) for election as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) during the elections to be held at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council in 2026,” the letter read in part.
The Kenyan government had expressed full confidence in Prof. Okowa’s qualifications and abilities, emphasizing her readiness to contribute effectively to the ICJ’s work.
“The government of the Republic of Kenya is convinced that Professor Okowa is competent and well qualified to contribute to the work of the ICJ,” the statement said.
PS Sing’oei also highlighted her achievements and credentials, noting that she is a member of the International Law Commission
