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Kenya has received a significant diplomatic boost after Judge Phoebe Okowa secured the highest number of international co-nominations ever received by an African candidate seeking election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The endorsement places Kenya in a stronger position ahead of the November 2026 elections, when United Nations member states will vote to fill seats on the world’s highest judicial body.
The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, who revealed that Okowa has been co-nominated by 27 national groups drawn from Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Why the nominations matter
Under the ICJ election process, candidates are nominated by national groups affiliated with the Permanent Court of Arbitration rather than by governments directly. Securing nominations from multiple countries demonstrates broad international confidence in a candidate’s legal expertise and diplomatic standing.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Okowa’s 27 co-nominations represent the highest number ever secured by an African candidate seeking election to the court.
Sing’Oei thanked the national groups that backed Kenya’s candidate, describing the widespread support as a strong vote of confidence in both Okowa and Kenya’s contribution to international law.
“I express Kenya’s sincere appreciation to all National Groups that have co-nominated Judge Phoebe Okowa to the International Court of Justice for the 2027–2036 term,” he said.
Countries backing Kenya’s candidate
The countries supporting Okowa’s candidature span several regions, reflecting Kenya’s expanding diplomatic reach.
Among those that have co-nominated her are Kenya, France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, the Netherlands, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Senegal, Djibouti, Burkina Faso, Singapore, Georgia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and The Bahamas.
The broad geographical spread of the endorsements is expected to strengthen Kenya’s campaign before voting begins later this year.
Who is Judge Phoebe Okowa?
Judge Okowa is one of Kenya’s most distinguished international legal scholars and currently serves at the International Court of Justice.
She previously became the first African woman elected to the International Law Commission, where she contributed to the development and codification of international law.
Her academic work and judicial experience have earned global recognition, particularly in the fields of international humanitarian law, state responsibility and dispute resolution.
The Kenyan government has described her as a trailblazer whose legal scholarship has influenced the evolution of international jurisprudence.
Kenya’s campaign for a full ICJ term
Kenya officially launched Okowa’s campaign for a full nine-year term at the ICJ in February 2026, positioning her candidacy as both a national and continental milestone.
At the time, Sing’Oei said her election would strengthen diversity and representation within international judicial institutions while reinforcing a rules-based global order.
He argued that retaining Okowa on the court would not only benefit Kenya but also ensure Africa continues to have strong representation in international legal decision-making.
What happens next?
The International Court of Justice elections are scheduled for November 2026. Successful candidates will serve a nine-year term beginning in 2027.
Judges are elected independently by both the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council, and candidates must secure an absolute majority in both bodies to be elected.
If successful, Okowa will continue representing Kenya at the ICJ while helping determine disputes between states and issuing advisory opinions on major questions of international law.
Her record number of international co-nominations gives Kenya a strong platform as it intensifies diplomatic lobbying ahead of one of the most closely watched judicial elections on the global stage.
