By GPC News Desk
Kenya has wrapped up its diplomatic campaign to secure Professor Phoebe Okowa’s election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027–2036 term.
The campaign culminated in a diplomatic reception in New York on Wednesday, October 28, attended by representatives of United Nations member states.
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Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei used the occasion to rally international support for Okowa, citing her legal expertise, integrity and suitability to serve on the world’s highest court.
In his address, Sing’Oei stressed the importance of electing judges whose independence, legal competence and commitment to international law match the demands of an increasingly complex global environment.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s confidence in Okowa’s qualifications and called on UN member states to support her candidature.
“After months of intense outreach, we concluded the campaigns for Prof Phoebe Okowa for Judge of ICJ for 2027-2036 term with a reception in New York today,” Sing’Oei said.
He added that Kenya had urged member states to consider the qualities required of judges responsible for interpreting and applying international law.
“Prof Okowa answers these demanding standards admirably and we commended her candidature to all,” he said.
Election set for November 3
The diplomatic push comes ahead of the November 3 election, in which the UN General Assembly and Security Council will elect five judges to the 15-member court.
Okowa is among 10 candidates competing for the five positions. She is seeking a full nine-year term after being elected in November 2025 to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Somali judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf.
Her current tenure runs until February 5, 2027, meaning she must secure a fresh mandate to remain on the bench for the next term.
Candidates must obtain an absolute majority in both the General Assembly and Security Council to be elected. Voting is conducted separately in the two UN organs and may involve several rounds.
Kenya formally launched Okowa’s candidature for the full term in January 2026 and has since pursued diplomatic engagements with member states.
International experience
Okowa is a Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London and a member of the UN International Law Commission.
She became the first African woman to serve on the commission since its establishment in 1947 after her election in 2021.
An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, she graduated with First Class Honours in Law from the University of Nairobi (UoN), before proceeding to the University of Oxford, where she obtained a Bachelor of Civil Law and a doctorate.
Her professional experience includes advising governments and non-governmental organisations on international law and appearing as counsel before international courts and tribunals.
The ICJ, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It determines legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on questions of international law.
