Chief Justice Martha Koome has congratulated Professor Phoebe Okowa following her election to serve a full nine-year term as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in a major achievement for Kenya’s presence in international legal affairs.
In a message shared on Wednesday, November 4, Koome praised Okowa’s election, describing it as a moment of national pride and recognition of her contribution to international law.
The Chief Justice said the achievement reflected Okowa’s distinguished legal scholarship and commitment to justice, adding that the outcome demonstrated the confidence placed in her by the international community.
Koome also wished the Kenyan jurist success as she prepares to take up the full mandate, expressing hope that her work at the court would contribute to international justice, respect for the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes between countries.
Okowa secured the nine-year position during elections held on Tuesday, November 3, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The voting was conducted simultaneously by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council, both of which must approve candidates for them to be elected to the court.
She received 183 votes in the General Assembly and 13 votes in the 15-member Security Council, meeting the required majority in both bodies.
Her election was part of a contest involving nine candidates competing for five available positions. The other judges elected alongside her were Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, François Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan and Rena Lee of Singapore.
The five judges will begin their new terms on February 6, 2027, and serve until February 5, 2036. Okowa’s election secures Kenya’s continued representation on the United Nations’ principal judicial organ for the next nine years.
The latest appointment also builds on her earlier election in November 2025, when she joined the court to fill the vacancy left by Somali judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, who resigned before completing his term. Her initial appointment was due to end in February 2027, making the latest election necessary for her to secure a full term.
Okowa is a Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London and has built an academic and professional career in international legal practice. She has also served on the United Nations International Law Commission, becoming the first African woman to join the expert body.
The ICJ, based in The Hague in the Netherlands, is responsible for resolving legal disputes submitted by states and issuing advisory opinions on questions of international law referred to it by authorised UN bodies and agencies. It is distinct from the International Criminal Court, as it does not conduct criminal trials or prosecute individuals.
Okowa’s election has drawn congratulatory messages from Kenyan leaders, with Koome joining other officials in welcoming the outcome and recognising its significance for the country’s contribution to international justice.
