Prof. Pheobe Okawa / HANDOUT

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, has congratulated Professor Phoebe Okowa following her election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a full nine-year term.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 4, Ingonga, on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), described her election as a moment of immense pride for Kenya and a significant milestone for Africa.

He said the achievement recognised Okowa's distinguished legal scholarship, extensive professional experience and longstanding contribution to the advancement of international law.

“Her election is a moment of immense pride for Kenya and a significant milestone for Africa,” Ingonga said.

Okowa, a Professor of Public International Law at Queen Mary University of London, has built a career spanning academia, international legal practice and service to the global legal community.

Her areas of expertise include state responsibility, the use of force, environmental law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Ingonga said her election would provide an opportunity for African legal perspectives, experiences and contributions to continue shaping international jurisprudence at the highest level of global adjudication.

He added that the achievement underscored Africa's role in advancing international law and strengthening the rules-based international order.

The DPP noted that the election came at a time when the world was facing increasingly complex geopolitical tensions, cross-border disputes and emerging international legal challenges.

He said the ICJ remained central to promoting respect for international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes and cooperation among nations.

“Your achievement is an inspiration to the legal fraternity, women in the legal profession and the next generation of African legal scholars and practitioners,” Ingonga said.

Okowa secured the required majority votes in both the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council during elections held simultaneously on Tuesday.

She was among nine candidates competing for five positions on the 15-member court.

The other successful candidates were Professor Dapo Akande of the United Kingdom, François Alabrune of France, Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud of Jordan and Rena Lee of Singapore.

The five judges will begin their nine-year terms on February 6, 2027, serving until 2036.

Okowa has been serving at the ICJ since November 2025, following her election in a by-election to fill the vacancy left by Somali judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, who resigned.

Her earlier mandate was due to run until February 5, 2027, prompting Kenya to mount a fresh diplomatic campaign to secure her a full term.

She made history in 2025 when she became the first Kenyan to serve as a judge of the ICJ.

She was also elected to the UN International Law Commission in 2021, becoming the first African woman to serve on the expert body.

Additionally, Kenya appointed her as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in 2016.

The ICJ, established under the UN Charter in 1945, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It settles legal disputes between states and issues advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN institutions and agencies.

Ingonga wished Okowa wisdom, courage and success as she takes up the judicial responsibility, describing her election as a well-deserved achievement.