Phoebe Okowa: The legal academic who won a 9-year seat on the International Court of Justice

Judge Okowa, 61, will now commence her new term on February 6, 2027, but she has maintained a stellar record in the corridors of justice since 1990.

Judge Phoebe Okowa was on Tuesday re-elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Photo: Handout

Judge Okowa won out of 9 candidates after securing an absolute majority of votes in both the Council and the General Assembly, that is, eight votes in the Council and 97 votes in the General Assembly.

She extends her term as an ICJ Judge, having been elected to fill a vacant position in November 2025, for a term ending February 5, 2027, sitting in for Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf of Somalia, who resigned.

She became an advocate and was called as a member of the Kenyan Bar in October 1990.

Source: Citizen Digital