The Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, lobbied Cyprus and Sierra Leone to support the candidacy of Professor Phoebe Okowa, who is vying for the elections of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
During bilateral meetings with the Cyprus Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Constantinos Kombos, and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, Mudavadi urged the two countries to support her elections to be held during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council on November 12, 2025.
Kenya is looking for a position within the ICJ. We have entered the name of Professor Phoebe Okowa, if you can please give us a consideration,” implored Dr Mudavadi during the meeting with the Sierra Leone Affairs and International Cooperation.
Sierra Leone, together with Nigeria, has fielded candidates for the position.
However, while Kabba noted that his country will ‘consider’ despite fielding a candidate for the same position.
Cyprus is committed to supporting Professor Okowa’s candidature.
“Kenya has submitted several distinguished candidatures to key international bodies, including The candidature of Prof. Phoebe Okowa for election as Judge of the International Court of Justice, to fill the casual vacancy for the 2025-2027 period”, Mudavadi said.
The position fell vacant after the resignation of Justice Abdulqwani Ahmed Yusuf of Somalia, who leaves office on September 30, 2025.
Why Kenya Stands a Good Chance
Kenya has never been represented on the ICJ bench, making this nomination a balanced, merit-based choice that strengthens the court’s geographical and legal diversity.
Since 1945, West Africa has produced seven judges, three Nigerians and one from Sierra Leone, North Africa (Five), East Africa(three).
Since its inception, only six women have served on the bench. Out of 15 sitting ICJ Judges are women, four are women.
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Mudavadi Highlights Prof. Okowa’s Career & Contributions
During the bilateral meeting, Dr Mudavadi stated that Prof. Okowa has been instrumental in shaping the development of international law and advisories in various areas critical to humanity.
“She is the first African woman to be elected to the International Law Commission, and most recently on 25th August- Prof. Okowa was inducted into the International Lawyers’ Hall of Fame, becoming the first Kenyan and first African woman to be so honoured”, Mudavadi noted.
Also Read: Prof Phoebe Okowa: Profile of Kenya’s International Court of Justice Judge Nominee
INTERPOL’s Executive Committee Candidature
Mudavadi impressed upon Kabba to support Kenya at the Interpol, which he acceded to.
Kenya has also presented the candidature of Mohammed Ibrahim Amin for election to INTERPOL’s Executive Committee, as Delegate for Africa for the 2025-2028 term.
Amin is the current Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
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