Kenya has a fresh reason to celebrate on the international stage following the election of distinguished legal scholar Professor Phoebe Okowa to serve as a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), marking a significant milestone for the country's legal fraternity and international representation.
National Assembly Speaker Rt Hon Dr Moses Wetang’ula has joined Kenyans in celebrating the achievement, describing it as a moment of immense national pride and a reflection of Kenya's growing influence in international affairs.
In a congratulatory message shared on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Wetang’ula praised Professor Okowa for the milestone, wishing her wisdom, strength and divine guidance as she prepares to undertake her nine-year tenure.
He observed that her election demonstrates the remarkable strides Kenya continues to make on the global stage, adding that the country takes immense pride in her achievement.
"Kenya is proud of you! Go forth and serve the world with distinction," Wetang’ula stated in his message.
Kenyan scholar takes centre stage in global justice
Professor Okowa is an accomplished scholar of public international law and an academic at Queen Mary University of London. Her distinguished career has been shaped by extensive contributions to international legal scholarship and the development of international law.
Her election to the ICJ represents an important moment for Kenya and Africa, providing an opportunity for the country's legal expertise to contribute to decisions involving international disputes and the interpretation of international law.
The International Court of Justice, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It handles legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN bodies.
National pride and international recognition
Wetang’ula's message has added to the celebrations surrounding Professor Okowa's achievement, with members of the public also taking to social media to congratulate her.
One social media user, Olivia Tamon, described her achievement as a source of pride for African women on the international justice platform.
Professor Okowa's election underscores the contribution of Kenyan professionals to global institutions and places the country in the spotlight of international legal affairs.
As she prepares for her nine-year assignment, expectations will be high for her to bring her wealth of legal knowledge and experience to the service of international justice.
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