Judge Phoebe Okowa poses for a photo with Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei during a past event/COURTESY
Kenya's candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Judge Phoebe Okowa, has secured a record number of co-nominations from national groups around the world, strengthening the country's campaign ahead of the United Nations elections in November.
The milestone was announced after the UN Secretary General published the official list of candidates nominated for election to the world's highest judicial body for the 2027-2036 term.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei said the broad international backing demonstrates growing confidence in Judge Okowa's qualifications 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, the highest number of co-nominations garnered by an African ICJ candidate so far," Sing'oei said.
According to the official UN document, Judge Okowa received endorsements from dozens of national groups spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Among the countries that co-nominated her are Kenya, France, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, the Netherlands, Norway, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, among others.
Sing'oei said Kenya remains grateful to all member states that supported the candidature throughout the nomination process.
"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 said.
The ICJ, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
It settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN organs and specialised agencies.
The UN General Assembly and the Security Council are expected to elect five judges to the court during their respective sessions later this year.
Successful candidates will serve a nine-year term beginning on February 6, 2027.
Judge Okowa, an internationally renowned legal scholar and expert in public international law, is seeking to become one of the judges on the 15-member court.
Kenya views her candidacy as an opportunity to strengthen Africa's representation in international judicial institutions while contributing to the development of international law.
The record number of co-nominations is expected to boost Kenya's diplomatic campaign as member states prepare to vote during the November elections, where candidates must secure an absolute majority in both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council to be elected.
