Kenya officially launches candidature of Judge Phoebe Okowa to International Court of Justice
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, February 11, 2026Kenya has officially launched the candidature of Judge Phoebe Okowa for election to a full nine-year term at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), covering the 2027–2036 period.
Taking it to his X handle on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said that the launch has been conducted at the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council Meeting in Addis Ababa.
Mudavadi has reiterated the government’s pride in the candidature of Judge Phoebe, saying it will be a great milestone for the nation and Africa as a continent. Mudavadi has said that this reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to a strong, inclusive and rules-based international legal system.
“On the sidelines of the AU Executive Council Meeting in Addis Ababa, we officially launched Kenya’s candidature of Judge Phoebe Okowa to the International Court of Justice for the full 2027–2036 term, a moment that reflects both national pride and Africa’s growing voice in shaping global justice,” Mudavadi stated.
Okowa wins a position as an ICJ judge
Okowa was nominated in March 2025 as Kenya’s candidate for the position of Judge of the ICJ. She later made history as the first Kenyan and the first African woman to be elected as a judge by the ICJ in November 2025.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary has noted that she is the eighth woman globally to serve on the ICJ bench.
Mudavadi has noted that this is a remarkable milestone that will continue to inspire a new generation of African legal minds. He has noted that the country will be in full support of his candidature, confirming that the government will be engaging with other African colleagues to rally behind her.
“As Kenyans, we will actively engage and rally the support of our African colleagues to ensure Judge Okowa continues contributing her outstanding scholarship, deep experience in international law, and global perspective for the benefit of our continent and the international community,” Mudavadi added.