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Kenyan scholar and international law expert Professor Phoebe Okowa has been elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after securing an absolute majority of votes during a United Nations Security Council session held on Wednesday in New York.
Security Council President Michael Imran Kanu notified UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock that Professor Okowa had obtained the necessary votes to fill the ICJ seat left vacant on September 30, 2025.
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In a letter written after the Council’s 10,040th meeting, Kanu confirmed that the election had been conducted to appoint a new ICJ member, with Professor Okowa emerging the winner after attaining the required majority.
Her election is being celebrated as a diplomatic triumph for Kenya, highlighting the country’s growing recognition and influence in global legal and governance institutions.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs lauded the development, saying her victory—secured after four rounds of voting by both the UN General Assembly and Security Council—demonstrates international faith in her legal expertise and Kenya’s respected position in world affairs.
“The Ministry congratulates Prof. Phoebe Okowa on her election as Judge of the International Court of Justice after four rounds of voting by both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. Her win over three other contenders underscores global confidence in her judicial capacity and Kenya’s strong international standing,” the ministry said in a statement.
Kenya formally nominated Professor Okowa for the ICJ position on February 27, 2025, through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. The nomination was registered with the Permanent Court of Arbitration and circulated to the UN Mission of Djibouti, which coordinates Eastern Africa’s representation at the UN.
In September 2025, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei led diplomatic efforts to rally global backing for her candidacy, including outreach to Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Matsuura Hiroshi, seeking Tokyo’s support.
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Born in Kericho on January 1, 1965, Professor Okowa is a distinguished scholar of public international law and currently serves as Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at Queen Mary University of London.
Her election builds on a remarkable record of international service. In 2021, she became the first African woman elected to the International Law Commission (ILC) after receiving 162 votes during elections held by the UN General Assembly. Her current term at the ILC runs from 2023 to 2027.
Professor Okowa’s appointment to the ICJ marks another major milestone for Kenya’s legal diplomacy, positioning the country among the few African nations represented on the world’s top judicial body — the court that settles disputes between states and issues advisory opinions on matters of international law.
