Who is Prof Phoebe Okowa? From Kericho to world’s highest court
Okowa’s influence extends far beyond the classroom, with her expertise sought in courtrooms and international legal forums across the world.
Kenya has once again placed one of its finest legal minds on the global stage, nominating Professor Phoebe Okowa for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
A scholar, advocate, and legal consultant, Okowa’s influence extends far beyond the classroom, with her expertise sought in courtrooms and international legal forums across the world.
But who is she, and what makes her the ideal candidate for this prestigious position?
Born on January 1, 1965, in Kericho, Kenya, Professor Okowa's journey into the legal world began with an illustrious academic record. She graduated at the top of her class with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) , attaining a First Class Honours from the University of Nairobi in 1987. She became the first woman in the faculty's history to achieve this feat.
Her exceptional performance earned her a scholarship to Wadham College, Oxford, where she pursued a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree in 1990. She later completed her doctoral thesis (D.Phil.) at Oxford in 1994 under the supervision of Professor Sir Ian Brownlie, one of the most esteemed legal minds of his time.
Professor Okowa's career spans decades of academic and practical contributions to international law. As an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, she has acted as counsel and consultant for governments and non-governmental organisations on international legal matters, including cases before the ICJ.
Currently, she serves as a Professor of Public International Law and Director of Graduate Studies at Queen Mary University of London. Her academic journey has also taken her to institutions such as the University of Bristol, where she taught Public International Law, Constitutional Law, and Private International Law. She has held visiting positions at the Universities of Lille, Helsinki, and Stockholm and has lectured for the United Nations at its Regional Course on International Law for Africa.
Her expertise has been sought globally, leading to her appointment as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in 2016. In 2017, she was nominated as an arbiter to the same institution. In 2021, she was elected to the International Law Commission (ILC), making history as the first African woman to serve as a member.
A file picture of Professor Phoebe Okowa. (Photo: X/Phoebe Okowa))
Leading authority
Her election to this prestigious body by the United Nations General Assembly, where she garnered 162 votes, affirmed her status as a leading authority in international law.
Beyond her practice, Professor Okowa has made significant scholarly contributions to international law. Her monograph, State Responsibility for Transboundary Air Pollution, published by Oxford University Press, is considered a definitive work on environmental accountability in international law. She has also co-edited Environmental Law and Justice in Context with Jonas Ebbesson.
Her research interests span various dimensions of international law, including state responsibility, environmental protection, and the legal implications of conflicts over natural resources. She has written extensively on the intersection of state accountability and individual responsibility for international crimes, as well as on unilateral and collective responses to the exploitation of natural resources in conflict zones. Her work has been cited in legal rulings and academic discourse worldwide.
Professor Okowa serves as an editor of the Foundations of Public International Law series (Oxford University Press) and sits on the editorial board of the African Journal of International and Comparative Law. For a decade, she was also a board member of the International Community Law Review.
Kenya's nomination of Professor Okowa for election to the ICJ in 2026 highlights the country's commitment to placing distinguished legal minds in global institutions. The nomination has been formally submitted to the African Group to garner regional support.
“Kenya presents its compliments to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Djibouti to the United Nations, in its capacity as Coordinator of the Eastern African Sub-region on Candidatures, and has the honour to inform of the nomination of Professor Phoebe Okowa by the Kenya National Group to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) for election as a lodge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) during the elections to be held at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council in 2026,” Kenya, through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations said.
Kenya, in its submission, highlighted her unparalleled competence and qualifications, emphasising her potential contribution to the ICJ’s work.
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya is convinced that Professor Okowa is competent and well qualified to contribute to the work of the ICJ. The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya requests the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Djibouti to circulate this note to the Member States of the African Group for their valuable support,” it said.
If elected, Professor Okowa will bring a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to justice. Her election would not only be a personal achievement but also a historic moment for Kenya and Africa as a whole.
With her deep understanding of international law, her ability to navigate complex legal landscapes, and her dedication to fostering justice, she stands poised to make a significant impact on the world’s highest judicial body.
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