Kenya’s Phoebe Okowa Elected to Serve Nine More Years at International Court of Justice

Professor Phoebe Okowa will continue representing Kenya at the International Court of Justice after winning a full nine-year mandate.

She secured the necessary support from both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council during Tuesday’s elections.

Her victory came in a competitive race involving nine candidates seeking five available positions on the court.

The other successful candidates were Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, François Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan and Rena Lee of Singapore.

Their terms will officially begin on February 6, 2027, and run until 2036.

The Hague-based court has 15 judges and serves as the United Nations’ principal judicial organ.

President William Ruto congratulated Okowa, describing her election as a proud moment for Kenya.

He said the outcome demonstrated the country’s contribution to international law through legal expertise and professional excellence.

Ruto expressed confidence that she would serve diligently and promote peaceful resolution of disputes between nations.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei also welcomed the election, thanking countries that supported her candidature.

Sing’oei specifically recognised Sierra Leone, South Korea and Ecuador for withdrawing their candidates after the third voting round.

He said their decisions helped prevent a prolonged election process.

Okowa initially joined the ICJ in November 2025 through a by-election.

She filled the vacancy left by Somali judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf following his resignation.

Her initial appointment was due to expire on February 5, 2027.

Kenya subsequently launched a diplomatic campaign to secure her a complete nine-year term.

Born in Kericho on January 1, 1965, Okowa is a professor of Public International Law.

She serves as Director of Graduate Studies at Queen Mary University of London.

She graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1987 with First Class Honours in Law.

She later obtained a Bachelor of Civil Law degree from Oxford University in 1990.

Okowa completed her doctorate at Oxford in 1994 under Professor Sir Ian Brownlie.

She was appointed to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016.

In 2021, she became the first African woman elected to the International Law Commission.

The commission comprises 34 experts responsible for developing and codifying international law.

Her election secures Kenya’s representation on the ICJ through 2036.

TrustWrites feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com