Kenya has confirmed its support for Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung’u’s candidacy for a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome and Justice Njoki Ndung’u on April 2, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government would work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to promote Justice Ndung’u’s candidacy at the international level.
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According to Mudavadi, the discussions focused on how the country can position its candidate strategically as the ICC prepares to elect six new judges during the Assembly of States Parties session set for December 7 to 17, 2026, in New York.
He confirmed that Justice Njoki Ndung’u’s bid has the backing of President William Ruto and has received Cabinet approval.
“I assured the Judiciary that the candidacy has the support of His Excellency the President and that the Cabinet has endorsed it,” Mudavadi said.
By the end of March, at least 15 candidates had expressed interest in the six available judgeships, including eight from Africa, the deadline for nominations being April 12.
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Mudavadi said the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has already developed a campaign framework and will establish a multi‑agency committee to bring together the Judiciary, the ministry, and other stakeholders.
The team will oversee a coordinated outreach effort to secure votes for Kenya’s candidate.
He said Kenya’s judiciary continues to enjoy strong international respect, particularly for its independence and contributions to the development of legal principles, factors he said place Justice Ndung’u in a strong position.
Unified Support for ICC
The Prime Cabinet Secretary called on Kenyans, including political leaders and the media, to rally behind the campaign and avoid actions that could undermine the bid internationally.
“We want to run a strong campaign that gives our candidate the best chance of success, and this will require unity and discipline,” Mudavadi said.
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Chief Justice Martha Koome said Kenya was presenting a highly qualified judge to the international community and urged the government to fully utilize its diplomatic networks to support the campaign.
She noted that Kenya has previously made meaningful contributions to the ICC through its engagement with the court.
Justice Njoki Ndung’u said she was ready to serve if elected and pledged to represent Kenya with professionalism and integrity.
“If given the opportunity, I will represent Kenya positively. Any success would belong to the country as a whole,” Njoki Ndung’u said.
Those present at the meeting included Ambassador Halima Yussuf Mucheke from Kenya’s Embassy to the Netherlands, Ambassador Galma Boru, Kenya’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Ambassador Yabesh Monari, Deputy Permanent Representative at Kenya’s Mission to the United Nations in New York.
