By Pascal Ndegwa - Reporter
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Kenya ,October 29 ,2026 - Kenya has finished its public campaign to elect Professor Phoebe Okowa to the International Court of Justice for a full nine-year term, from 2027 to 2036. But the hardest part may still be ahead: she now needs countries to turn their support into actual votes.
The International Court of Justice, often called the ICJ or World Court, is the United Nations’ main court for disputes between countries. It has 15 judges who help settle issues such as borders, treaties, and claims that a state has broken international law.
Okowa, a Kenyan professor of international law, joined the court in 2025. However, she did not begin a full term. She filled the remaining part of the term of Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf, who stepped down in 2025. That is why Kenya must campaign again for her to serve from 2027 to 2036.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’Oei, said the country had completed months of outreach and urged United Nations member states to back her. Officials describe her as a strong candidate because of her long work in international law and her role on the United Nations International Law Commission.
Still, public praise does not decide the election. To win, a candidate must receive an absolute majority in two separate UN bodies: the General Assembly and the Security Council. That means many countries must vote for her in both places. If no candidate reaches the needed number, the voting can continue in more rounds.
Kenya has also pointed to support from national groups around the world. These groups nominate candidates and can show that legal experts respect Okowa’s work. But nominations are not the same as votes. A country may praise a candidate in public, then choose another candidate when the secret ballot is counted.
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The race also shows how African countries compete for influence in global institutions. Okowa is not the only African candidate. Sierra Leone’s Charles Jalloh is also seeking a seat. Their contest is not simply Kenya against Sierra Leone. It is also a test of whether African states can unite behind one candidate, or whether their votes will split.
Behind the scenes, many things can matter. Regional friendship, shared legal networks, the views of powerful countries, and quiet agreements between states can all shape the result. A candidate may need support from Africa, but also from Asia, Europe, Latin America, and other regions.
For ordinary Kenyans, the issue may feel far away. Yet it affects how the country is seen abroad. Imagine a Kenyan student reading about an international case and seeing a Kenyan judge helping decide it. That image can make young people feel that Kenya’s voice matters on the world stage.
If Okowa wins, Kenya will gain a stronger place in international law and Africa will keep a respected voice on the court. If she loses, it would show that diplomatic support and expert qualifications do not always lead to victory. The final result will reveal not only who sits on the World Court, but also how much influence Kenya and Africa can build inside the United Nations.