NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – Kenyan legal scholar Professor Phoebe Nyawade Okowa was elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday, 13 November 2025 (EAT), a landmark achievement for Kenyan diplomacy and a significant moment for African representation in global legal institutions. The election took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Professor Okowa secured her position on the principal judicial organ of the UN after a competitive, multi-round election process held concurrently in the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. She emerged victorious after four rounds of voting in the General Assembly and three in the Security Council, defeating candidates from Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

In the final round of voting in the General Assembly, Professor Okowa obtained 106 votes, comfortably surpassing the required absolute majority of 97 votes. Simultaneously, she garnered 8 out of 15 votes in the Security Council, meeting the required majority in that chamber as well. The announcement of her victory was made by the presidents of both UN bodies.

A Historic Moment for Kenya

Professor Okowa's election marks the first time a Kenyan national will serve as a judge on the International Court of Justice. The seat became vacant following the resignation of Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf of Somalia, effective 30 September 2025. Professor Okowa will serve the remainder of Judge Yusuf's term, which concludes on 5 February 2027.

The Kenyan government hailed the election as a momentous occasion. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, described it as a “proud moment for Kenya and Africa,” stating that the victory reinforces the need for diversity and representation in international institutions and elevates Kenya's profile on the global stage.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei also celebrated the outcome, stating on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, that “This victory demonstrates confidence in Prof. Okowa's judicial competence and Kenya's standing.” He commended the Kenyan diplomatic teams in New York and Geneva for leading a successful eight-month campaign.

An Illustrious Career in International Law

Born in Kericho, Kenya, on 1 January 1965, Professor Okowa has built a formidable reputation as a scholar and practitioner of public international law. She achieved a historic milestone in 2021 when she was elected to the UN's International Law Commission (ILC), becoming the first African woman to serve on the prestigious body since its establishment in 1947. Her candidacy for the ILC was endorsed by the African Union.

Professor Okowa is a Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London. Her academic journey began at the University of Nairobi, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with First Class Honours. She then earned a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) and a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) from the University of Oxford. An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, she has acted as counsel and consultant to governments and international organizations in cases before the ICJ and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

Her extensive body of work includes the monograph "State Responsibility for Transboundary Air Pollution in International Law" and numerous articles on topics ranging from the exploitation of natural resources in conflict zones to the accountability for international crimes.

Significance for Africa and International Justice

Professor Okowa becomes the second African woman to be elected to the ICJ, following Judge Julia Sebutinde of Uganda, who is the court's current Vice-President. Her presence on the 15-member bench is a significant step for the continent, which has historically been underrepresented. The election is seen as a reflection of Africa's growing influence in shaping the development and interpretation of international law.

The ICJ, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is tasked with settling legal disputes between states and giving advisory opinions on international legal issues. Its judges must be persons of high moral character with recognized competence in international law. The court's statute requires that the judges as a body should represent the main forms of civilization and the principal legal systems of the world.

Professor Okowa's election, backed by a broad coalition of UN member states, underscores the international community's confidence in her expertise and integrity. Her tenure on the world's highest court is a significant personal achievement and a moment of national pride for Kenya, reinforcing the country's commitment to multilateralism and the international rule of law.