Kenya’s campaign to secure a full nine-year term for Judge Phoebe Okowa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has received a major diplomatic boost after she garnered the highest number of co-nominations ever received by an African candidate seeking election to the world’s highest judicial body.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei announced the milestone on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, thanking countries and national groups that backed Kenya’s candidate ahead of the crucial November 2026 ICJ elections.

“I express Kenya’s sincere appreciation to all National Groups that have co-nominated Judge Phoebe Okowa to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027–2036 term—the highest number of co-nominations garnered by an African ICJ candidate so far,” Sing’Oei wrote on X.

The Principal Secretary also expressed gratitude to the international community for supporting Kenya’s bid.

“We remain grateful to all Member States and the entire international community for your cross-regional support and confidence placed in the candidature of Judge Okowa throughout this process as we look ahead to the November 2026 ICJ elections,” he added.

Broad international backing

According to Sing’Oei, Judge Okowa’s candidacy has received co-nominations from an extensive cross-section of countries spanning Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The countries whose National Groups have co-nominated her include The Bahamas, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Kenya, Latvia, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, The Netherlands, Norway, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

The broad geographical spread of the endorsements is expected to strengthen Kenya’s diplomatic campaign ahead of voting by the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Security Council later this year.

Seeking a full nine-year mandate

Judge Okowa is seeking election to serve a full term at the ICJ from 2027 to 2036, having already joined the Court in November 2025 after winning election to fill the remainder of a casual vacancy created by the resignation of Somali judge Abdulqawi Yusuf.

Kenya officially launched her campaign for the full term in January 2026, describing her candidature as a reflection of the country’s commitment to international law, multilateralism and global justice.

Speaking during the launch earlier this year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said Judge Okowa’s election to the Court had demonstrated strong international confidence in her independence, legal expertise and distinguished career in public international law.

Distinguished international jurist

Judge Okowa is one of Kenya’s most accomplished international legal scholars.

She is a Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London and previously served as a member of the United Nations International Law Commission, where she became the first African woman elected to the Commission before later chairing its Drafting Committee.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, she has advised governments, represented states before international tribunals and appeared in cases before the International Court of Justice.

Her election to the ICJ in 2025 marked a historic milestone, making her the first Kenyan judge ever to sit on the International Court of Justice and one of the few African women to serve on the bench.

Diplomatic campaign intensifies

Kenya has been actively lobbying member states to support Okowa’s bid, with senior government officials using regional and international forums to rally backing.

Earlier this year, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi launched a diplomatic campaign at the African Union Executive Council in Addis Ababa, urging African states to unite behind Kenya’s candidate.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has also publicly endorsed Okowa’s candidacy, arguing that securing her election to a full term should remain Kenya’s priority in international judicial elections.

November election

Judges of the International Court of Justice are elected simultaneously by the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council, with candidates required to secure an absolute majority in both bodies.

The elections for the 2027–2036 term are scheduled for November 2026 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

With a record number of cross-regional co-nominations already secured, Kenya believes Judge Okowa’s candidacy has gained significant international momentum as the country seeks to retain its historic place on the bench of the world’s highest judicial organ.