Kenya’s Phoebe Okowa has been elected judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after securing majority votes at the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. She has been elected to serve at the ICJ for a term of 9 years, effective February 6th 2027.
Okowa’s election comes after she serving for a year on interim basis. It is a position she has held since November 2025 following the untimely demise of previous judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf of Somalia.
President William Ruto congratulated Judge Okowa on her election saying it was a moment of ‘great pride’ for Kenya and adding that the country is proud of her.
“Your election is a moment of great pride for Kenya and a powerful affirmation of the depth of legal expertise, integrity and excellence that our country continues to contribute to the international community. As you take up this distinguished responsibility, we wish you great success in discharging your mandate with diligence and in advancing the ICJ’s mission of upholding international law and promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes among nations,” President Ruto said on his X page.
Phoebe Okowa’s election continues a streak of Kenyans being appointed to head global and influential institutions across the world. Notable mentions are as follows;
- Former President Uhuru Kenyatta was appointed as the facilitator and mediator of conflicts on behalf of the African Union and the East African Community. His involvement in the management of key peace and security processes in high-stakes conflicts including the ongoing conflict between the DRC government and M23 rebels has placed him at the heart of key continental peace missions since he left office.
- Mary Kamare serves as the Chief Executive officer of the Trade Development Fund. She plays a critical role in shaping strategic decisions and policy alignments to support regional trade and industrial growth.
- Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director Esther Ngari was also appointed to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) World Council where she is serving a 5-year term.
- Rose Mwebaza currently holds the Director and Regional Representative for Africa position at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Her deep experience in conservation and passion for environmental protection has been key in defining how UNEP runs its programmes across the continent and globally.
As Phoebe Okowa takes up her position for the next 9 years, Kenyans will be proud for producing another top professional to take the reins at a top justice institution.
Phoebe Okowa Career, Early Life And Education
Prof Okowa was born on 1st January 1965 in Kericho town of the Rift Valley region in Kenya. She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree fro the University of Nairobi where she attained a First Class Honours in 1987. She was the first woman to graduate from the university with a First Class Honours. She was admitted to the Kenyan Bar as an advocate 3 years later.
She then proceeded to pursue further studies at Wadham College where she was admitted on a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Scholarship. She obtained her Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree in 1990.
Prof Okowa then did her doctoral thesis at Oxford, completing it in 1994.
After her education, Okowa acted in various capacities as counsel and consultant to governments and non-governmental organizations within the Commonwealth. Her legal practice revolved around questions of international law where she argued her cases before domestic and international courts including before the International Court of Justice.
In 2016, Kenya appointed her a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague before again nominating her for election to the UN International Law Commission (ILC) in May 2021. She received 162 votes in the United Nations General Assembly after getting backing from other countries including the United Kingdom. She became the first African woman elected to serve as an ILC member for a period of five years, effective January 1, 2023.
Following her election, Prof Okowa will serve at the ICJ as one of five other judges including Professor Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, François Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan and Rena Lee of Singapore.
The election of Prof Okowa to the ICJ is a watershed moment in Kenya’s legal practice. The practice has grown tremendously since the adoption of the Kenya Constitution 2010 and the advancement of civil liberties in the country. Despite existing challenges within the schooling system and the Kenyan Bar, Kenya’s legal practice remains among the most solid and most advanced in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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