Kenyan jurist Professor Phoebe Okowa has been re-elected to the International Court of Justice for a full nine-year term. The election took place in New York on Tuesday, November 3, following a closely contested vote. Okowa secured 183 votes in the UN General Assembly and 13 in the Security Council, overcoming a prolonged voting deadlock.
The re-election marks Okowa’s second term on the ICJ, where she serves as one of the court’s 15 judges. Her reappointment was confirmed after a contentious process that saw multiple rounds of voting. The outcome was decisive, with Okowa achieving the required majorities in both chambers of the UN.
Okowa, a Kenyan legal expert, has been a member of the ICJ since 2014. Her re-election underscores her reputation as a respected international jurist. The ICJ, based in The Hague, is responsible for adjudicating legal disputes between nations. Okowa’s continued role reflects Kenya’s growing influence in global legal affairs.
Her re-election follows a period of intense negotiations and political maneuvering within the UN system. The contested nature of the vote highlights the high stakes involved in securing a seat on the world’s most prestigious judicial body. Okowa’s victory is seen as a significant achievement for Kenya’s diplomatic and legal standing on the international stage.
