International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judge Professor Phoebe Okowa is in Kenya.
According to a statement by the State Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday, December 12, Judge Okowa, the first Kenyan elected to the ICJ, arrived in Nairobi from The Hague, Netherlands, to undertake a series of official engagements.
The ministry indicated that her visit will include various official engagements during her time in the country.
Judge Okowa's election to the ICJ in November 2025 marked a significant milestone for Kenya, demonstrating the country's commitment to strengthening international justice and enhancing Africa's representation in global judicial institutions.
The State Department emphasized that her distinguished academic and professional career, extensive experience in international law, and unwavering integrity have earned her widespread respect in the global legal community.
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"Kenya remains confident that her tenure on the Court will further advance the rule of law and contribute meaningfully to the development of international jurisprudence," the statement read.
“Kenya continues to seek the support of UN Member States for Judge Okowa’s candidature for the regular ICJ term running from 2027 to 2036, with elections scheduled during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council in November 2026,” the statement added.
The current position she holds became available after a seat fell vacant on September 30, 2025.
Professor Okowa, a renowned Kenyan international law scholar, was elected as an ICJ judge after securing an absolute majority of votes during a United Nations Security Council session held in November in New York.
Security Council President Michael Imran Kanu informed UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock that Professor Okowa had obtained the required votes to fill the vacant seat.
Her election followed four rounds of voting by both the UN General Assembly and Security Council, where she prevailed over three other candidates.
Following the vote, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs congratulated Professor Okowa for her milestone and putting Kenya on a global scale.
“The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs congratulates Prof. Phoebe Okowa on her election as Judge of the International Court of Justice after four rounds of voting by both the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Her victory over three other candidates reflects international confidence in her judicial competence and Kenya’s respected standing on the global stage,” the ministry had said at the time.
The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, settling legal disputes between states and providing advisory opinions on international legal issues.
