Chief Justice Martha Koome, on Friday, hosted International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judge Phoebe Okowa for a courtesy meeting at her office.
The talks underscored the growing importance of cooperation between national and international judiciaries in strengthening the rule of law and judicial independence.
Judge Okowa, who is Kenya’s representative at the world’s highest court, is currently seeking election to a full term at the ICJ, following her election to serve the remainder of a vacant term.
Her engagement with the CJ formed part of a series of high-level consultations as Kenya rallies institutional and diplomatic support for her bid.
In a statement after the meeting, CJ Koome said the engagement was “fruitful,” noting that it provided an opportunity to reflect on how national and international judicial systems can work together to advance justice in an increasingly interconnected world.
“Today, I held a courtesy meeting with Judge Phoebe Okowa of the International Court of Justice. We had a fruitful discussion on the evolving role of international courts in strengthening the rule of law and judicial independence,” Koome said.
The two jurists exchanged views on how international jurisprudence continues to shape domestic legal systems, particularly in an era where courts are increasingly confronted with complex constitutional questions, transnational disputes and the need to uphold the rule of law amid political and social pressures.
Koome noted that national courts do not operate in isolation, but are part of a broader global legal architecture that benefits from continuous engagement, shared experiences and mutual respect among judicial institutions.
Judge Okowa, an accomplished international law scholar and jurist, has been at the centre of Kenya’s renewed push to entrench its presence within global legal institutions.
Her quest for a full term at the ICJ has received backing across government and the legal fraternity, with leaders describing her candidature as a reflection of Kenya’s commitment to multilateralism and international law.
Last week, Judge Okowa was hosted by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’ei, who reaffirmed the government’s support for her bid and highlighted her credentials, integrity and contribution to international jurisprudence.
The engagement formed part of broader diplomatic efforts aimed at securing international goodwill ahead of the election.
She has also held talks with President William Ruto at State House.
Her election to fill a mid-term vacancy, Ruto said, reflects the strong confidence of UN Member States in her credentials, experience, and integrity.
“Her success reflects not only personal excellence, but also our nation’s continued commitment to contributing distinguished professionals to the multilateral system,” Ruto said.
Friday’s meeting with the CJ further reinforced the Judiciary’s role in supporting Kenya’s international obligations and aspirations, while remaining firmly anchored in its constitutional mandate.
The talks also touched on the need to safeguard judicial independence, a principle both leaders agreed is central to public confidence in justice systems worldwide.
Judge Okowa’s engagement with the CJ comes at a time when judiciaries globally are navigating increasing scrutiny, evolving legal norms and rising expectations from the public.
The meeting was seen as a strong signal of Kenya’s unity across institutions in promoting the rule of law, both domestically and internationally, as the country continues to position itself as a key player in global judicial and legal affairs.
