Who is Prof Phoebe Okowa, Kenya’s nominee for election as judge at International Court of Justice
Kenya is set to make another major international move by nominating Prof. Phoebe Okowa for a judge position at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The Permanent Mission of Kenya officially informed Djibouti, which coordinates Eastern Africa’s nominations, through a letter dated February 27.
The nomination, submitted by the Kenya National Group to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), will be voted on during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and Security Council in 2026.
According to the letter, Kenya believes Okowa is highly qualified to contribute to the ICJ’s work and has requested Djibouti to share the nomination with the African Group to gain regional backing.
A Strong Legal Background
Okowa’s nomination comes shortly after Kenya’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson seat, where Raila Odinga lost to Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssuf.
Prof. Okowa is a renowned lawyer and professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London, where she also serves as Director of Graduate Studies.
Her international legal career includes:
- 2021: Elected to the International Law Commission (ILC) for a five-year term (starting January 1, 2023), becoming the first African woman in this role.
- 2016: Appointed as a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague.
- Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, serving as legal counsel and consultant for governments and NGOs in international courts, including the ICJ.
Academic Excellence & Achievements
Born in Kericho on January 1, 1965, Okowa graduated top of her class with a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Nairobi in 1987, becoming the first woman to achieve this distinction.
She was admitted to the Kenyan Bar in 1990 and later earned a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from Oxford’s Wadham College on a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Scholarship.
She completed her Doctorate (D.Phil.) at Oxford in 1994 under Professor Sir Ian Brownlie.
A Historic Nomination
In May 2021, Kenya nominated Okowa for a seat at the UN International Law Commission (ILC), where she was co-nominated by the UK and endorsed by the African Union. She secured 162 votes in the UN General Assembly.
The ILC, a 34-member expert body, plays a crucial role in developing and codifying international law. Its members must be highly recognized legal experts.
Kenya’s nomination of Prof. Phoebe Okowa for ICJ Judge marks another step in the nation’s growing global legal influence.
Who is Prof Phoebe Okowa, Kenya’s nominee for election as judge at International Court of Justice
