In a groundbreaking moment for Kenya and Africa, Professor Phoebe Okowa has been elected as the first Kenyan judge to serve on the prestigious International Court of Justice (ICJ), marking a historic achievement that underscores the nation’s growing influence within the United Nations system. But here’s where it gets even more remarkable: Okowa’s victory came after a fiercely competitive race in both the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council, where she outshone three other candidates to fill the seat vacated by Somali Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf. And this is the part most people miss—her election isn’t just a win for Kenya; it’s a triumph for African representation and women in international justice, breaking barriers in a field historically dominated by men.
Okowa, a distinguished scholar of international law and current member of the International Law Commission, secured her position with 106 out of 185 votes in the UN General Assembly and 8 out of 15 in the Security Council. Her nomination was jointly supported by a diverse group of nations, including Colombia, Kenya, Namibia, the Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, Sweden, and Vanuatu. Her term will run until February 5, 2027, completing the remainder of Judge Yusuf’s tenure.
But here’s the controversial part: While Okowa’s election is celebrated as a testament to her legal brilliance and Kenya’s respected global standing, it also raises questions about the equitable representation of developing nations in high-ranking international bodies. Is Africa finally getting the recognition it deserves, or is there still a long way to go? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei hailed the election as a clear demonstration of Okowa’s judicial competence and Kenya’s growing influence in international affairs. He praised the efforts of Kenya’s diplomatic teams in New York and Geneva for their role in securing this victory. Okowa’s appointment not only strengthens Kenya’s visibility on the global legal stage but also reaffirms the country’s commitment to multilateralism and the rule of law.
With expertise in international environmental law, state responsibility, and dispute settlement, Okowa has advised governments and international organizations on complex legal matters. Her academic credentials are equally impressive: she graduated at the top of her class with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Nairobi in 1987, becoming the first woman to achieve a first-class honors degree in the faculty’s history. She later earned a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from Oxford University and completed her doctoral thesis under the supervision of Professor Sir Ian Brownlie.
Okowa’s journey to the ICJ, often referred to as the ‘World Court,’ is a testament to her dedication and trailblazing spirit. She joins an elite group of African jurists who have served on the Court, including Sierra Leone’s Abdul Koroma and Somalia’s Abdulqawi. Her election also consolidates Kenya’s presence in high-ranking international legal bodies, such as the International Law Commission, where she became the first African woman to serve as a member in 2021.
As Okowa prepares to be sworn in at The Hague in early 2026, her achievement sparks a thought-provoking question: How can we ensure that more women and underrepresented regions gain access to such influential global platforms? Share your opinions below—this is a conversation worth having.
