Kenya’s Prof. Phoebe Okowa has been re-elected as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), securing a full nine-year term running from 2027 to 2036.
Okowa received 183 votes in the United Nations General Assembly and 13 in the Security Council, defeating Peru’s candidate, who garnered two votes in the Assembly and none in the Council.
Her victory followed a prolonged voting deadlock between the two UN bodies, which was eventually resolved after several candidates withdrew from the race.
Sierra Leone’s Prof. Charles Jalloh, one of Okowa’s main challengers, withdrew his candidature and endorsed the Kenyan judge, citing the need to protect Africa’s representation on the court. Ecuador and South Korea also withdrew their candidates.
Sierra Leone’s ambassador to the UN said the country had prioritised the continent’s interests over its national candidate, describing Okowa as a distinguished legal scholar with extensive international experience.
The re-election marks a major diplomatic victory for Kenya following an intensive lobbying campaign led by President William Ruto and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Okowa made history in 2025 as the first Kenyan and the eighth woman to serve on the ICJ bench.
Her new mandate will allow her to continue serving at the World Court in The Hague for another nine years.
