Nairobi, Kenya – On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Kenya intensified its diplomatic campaign to secure international backing for Professor Phoebe Okowa's candidature for the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi held bilateral talks with Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, in Nairobi. The discussions primarily focused on strengthening Kenya-Luxembourg relations and garnering support for Professor Okowa's bid.

During the meeting, Mudavadi highlighted shared values in innovation, sustainability, and global cooperation between Kenya and Luxembourg. He proposed academic and research collaborations between the University of Luxembourg and Kenyan institutions, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), innovation, and sustainable finance. The talks also explored opportunities for scholarships and exchange programmes aimed at empowering young professionals.

Mudavadi commended Luxembourg's active engagement in multilateral diplomacy and formally requested support for Professor Okowa's ICJ candidacy. In return, Kenya pledged reciprocal backing for Luxembourg's future nominations in international fora, according to a statement from the State Department for Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Historical and Political Context

Kenya formally nominated Professor Phoebe Okowa for election as an ICJ judge on February 27, 2025. The election is scheduled to take place in November 2026 in New York, during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. Professor Okowa is seeking election to fill a casual vacancy for the 2025–2027 term and for a full nine-year term from 2027 to 2036.

Her candidacy follows the resignation of Somali Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, effective September 30, 2025. If elected, Professor Okowa would join Ugandan jurist Julia Sebutinde, the current ICJ Vice-President, as one of the few African women to serve on the UN's principal judicial organ.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

The International Court of Justice, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It comprises 15 judges who serve nine-year terms, with one-third of the bench renewed every three years. Candidates must secure an absolute majority in both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council to be elected.

Kenya's diplomatic efforts extend beyond Professor Okowa's candidacy. Nairobi has also nominated Mohammed Ibrahim Amin to the Interpol Executive Committee, Delegate for Africa (2025–2028), and is seeking re-election to the International Maritime Organization Council under Category C for 2026–2027.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

Professor Phoebe Okowa is a distinguished Kenyan international law expert, currently a Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in state responsibility, international crimes, and environmental justice.

Since 2021, Professor Okowa has served on the UN International Law Commission (ILC), where she chaired its drafting committee. Her election to the ILC in 2021 was historic, making her the first African woman and the first Black woman ever to join the body. Her ILC candidacy, jointly nominated by Kenya and the United Kingdom, received overwhelming support with 162 votes in the UN General Assembly.

Evidence and Data

• Nomination Date: Professor Phoebe Okowa was formally nominated by Kenya for the ICJ judgeship on February 27, 2025.
• Election Date: The elections for ICJ judges are scheduled for November 2026 in New York.
• ICJ Composition: The International Court of Justice consists of 15 judges, each serving a nine-year term.
• ILC Election: In 2021, Professor Okowa became the first African woman elected to the UN International Law Commission, securing 162 votes in the UN General Assembly.
• Kenya-Luxembourg Trade (2023): Kenya exported goods worth $3.29 million to Luxembourg, while Luxembourg exported $3.77 million to Kenya.

Risks and Implications

Kenya's intensified lobbying efforts for the ICJ seat come after a series of losses in other global bids, highlighting the competitive nature of international appointments. Securing this position would significantly boost Kenya's and Africa's influence in international legal matters and uphold the principle of equitable geographical representation in global institutions.

Unknowns and Controversies

While Kenya has actively sought support from various nations, including Japan, the level of commitment from all solicited countries remains to be seen. The outcome of the November 2026 elections will depend on complex diplomatic negotiations and voting patterns within the UN General Assembly and Security Council.

Timeline and Next Steps

Professor Okowa's nomination was officially submitted in February 2025. The elections are set for November 2026. If successful, she is expected to assume office on February 6, 2027.

Kenya and Luxembourg also discussed finalising key bilateral instruments, including an Agreement on Double Taxation and a Bilateral Air Services Agreement, aimed at boosting trade, investment, and connectivity. Mudavadi welcomed Luxembourg's plan to establish a diplomatic mission in Nairobi, which would further enhance engagement with Kenya and the wider East African region.

What to Watch

Observers will be closely watching the progress of Kenya's diplomatic campaign leading up to the November 2026 ICJ elections. The establishment of a Luxembourg diplomatic mission in Nairobi could also signal a new chapter in bilateral relations, potentially fostering increased trade and investment between the two nations.