In a landmark achievement for Kenya and the global legal community, the nation proudly announces the election of Prof. Phoebe Okowa as a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Securing a victory by a marked majority in the concurrent elections held by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council on November 12, 2025, Prof. Okowa has been duly elected to the seat at The Hague.
The election represents a historic first for Kenya, which had never before successfully nominated a candidate to the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. This resounding success is a testament to the broad confidence placed in her exceptional legal credentials, integrity, and anticipated contribution to international law and jurisprudence.
Prof. Okowa, an eminent public international law scholar and a current member of the International Law Commission, will serve the remainder of the term following the resignation of Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf. Her election was secured after multiple rounds of voting, demonstrating significant global support. She received 106 votes in the General Assembly (surpassing the 97-vote threshold) and 8 votes in the Security Council (the minimum required).
Prof. Okowa’s new role is expected to further promote the diversity and expertise on the ICJ bench, bringing her nuanced familiarity with different legal systems to the resolution of complex disputes between States.
Professor Phoebe Okowa is a highly accomplished generalist public international lawyer, currently holding the position of Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London. Her academic foundation includes a First Class Honours Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Nairobi, where she was the first woman to achieve this distinction, followed by a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) and a Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) from the University of Oxford.
Her practical experience is extensive, having served as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and appearing as Counsel before the International Court of Justice in major cases. Significantly, she made history as the first African woman elected to the UN International Law Commission for the term 2023-2027 and is also an associate member of the Institut de Droit International.