Kenyan legal scholar Professor Phoebe Okowa has secured a full nine-year term at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after winning elections conducted by the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Security Council in New York.
Okowa was elected on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, after securing 183 votes in the General Assembly and 13 votes in the 15-member Security Council, meeting the required majority in both institutions.
The election followed several rounds of voting involving nine candidates competing for five positions on the court. Okowa’s victory came after Sierra Leone, South Korea and Ecuador withdrew their candidates following the third round, while Sierra Leone subsequently backed the Kenyan jurist in a move aimed at retaining Africa’s representation on the court.
The other four judges elected alongside Okowa are Professor Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, François Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan and Rena Lee of Singapore.
Her election secures her place on the United Nations’ principal judicial organ for the 2027–2036 term. She will officially begin her new tenure on February 6, 2027, serving until February 5, 2036.
President William Ruto congratulated Okowa on her election, describing the achievement as a moment of great pride for Kenya and a recognition of the country’s contribution to international law.
He said her successful election affirmed the depth of legal expertise, integrity and excellence that Kenya continues to contribute to the international community.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also welcomed the outcome, noting that it reflected international confidence in Kenya’s legal expertise, diplomatic leadership and contribution to the peaceful resolution of disputes between nations.
Okowa has been serving as an ICJ judge since November 2025, when she was elected to fill the vacancy left by judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, who resigned before completing his term. Her latest election secures her a full nine-year mandate.
She is a Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London and has extensive experience in international legal practice and scholarship. In 2021, she was elected to the United Nations International Law Commission, becoming the first African woman to serve on the expert body.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, a Bachelor of Civil Law degree and a doctorate from the University of Oxford. She has also served as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
The International Court of Justice, established in 1945, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, it is responsible for resolving legal disputes between states and issuing advisory opinions on questions of international law referred to it by authorised UN institutions.
Unlike the International Criminal Court, the ICJ does not prosecute individuals but deals with legal matters involving states. Okowa’s election marks a significant milestone for Kenya, extending the country’s presence in international judicial leadership.
