Kenya’s Prof. Phoebe Okowa Makes History as First African Woman to Join International Law Commission

Kenya’s Prof. Phoebe Okowa has made history after securing a seat in the International Law Commission (ILC).

Prof. Okowa, who garnered 162 votes in an election by the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, becomes the first African woman to join the commission. She will serve as a member of the United Nations body from 2023 to 2027.

“I am profoundly grateful to member states for their confidence in me. Throughout the campaign experience I have remained conscious that the ILC is a subsidiary organ of the UN that is at its costs effective working in collaboration with the sixth committee,” Prof. Okawa said in her acceptance remarks.

“I look forward to working with the other members of the commission and those on the sixth committee as the commission continues its vital work in responding to the defining challenges of our generation.”

Established in 1947, ILC is made up of 34 experts responsible for developing and codifying international law. 

Members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) every five years.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Amb. Macharia Kamau congratulated Okowa for being a trailblazer, who is putting Kenya on the global map.

“History in the making, first African woman on the Commission. Well done team MFA global!! Together we are unstoppable,” Macharia stated.

Okowa is Professor of Public International Law and Director of Graduate Studies at the Queen Mary University of London. She previously taught Public International law, Constitutional Law, and Private International Law as a member of the Faculty of Law at the University of Bristol.