Mudavadi Heads to AU Meeting in Addis to Rally Support for Kenya’s ICJ and ICC Candidates
The committee is tasked with vetting and coordinating continental backing for African candidates seeking positions in international institutions, ensuring Africa speaks with one voice.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Lilian Chemutai
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has departed for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council, where he will spearhead Kenya’s campaign for the election of two Kenyan judges to the world’s top judicial institutions.
The Executive Council meeting, scheduled for July 28 to July 29, will bring together foreign ministers from across the continent to deliberate on key issues affecting Africa, including governance, regional integration, peace and security, institutional reforms, and Africa’s engagement with the global community.
A key priority for Mudavadi during the ministerial engagements and bilateral consultations will be mobilizing continental support for Judge Phoebe Okowa, Kenya’s candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and Justice Njoki Ndung’u, Kenya’s candidate for election to the International Criminal Court (ICC), both seeking election for the 2027–2036 term.
Before the Executive Council session, Mudavadi is expected to participate in the Ministerial Committee on African Candidatures within the International System, where Kenya represents Eastern Africa alongside Uganda. The committee is tasked with vetting and coordinating continental backing for African candidates seeking positions in international institutions, ensuring Africa speaks with one voice.
The Executive Council follows the 52nd Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) held in June 2026, and will also prepare for the 8th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), scheduled for October 4, 2026, in El Alamein, Egypt.
In a statement, Mudavadi’s office said the visit is aimed squarely at securing continental endorsement for Kenya’s judicial bids.
“The PCS visit will be to rally continental support for Kenya’s candidates seeking election to two of the world’s highest judicial institutions. During ministerial engagements and bilateral consultations, he will campaign for Judge Phoebe Okowa, Kenya’s candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027–2036 term, and Justice Njoki Ndung’u, Kenya’s candidate for election to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the same term,” the statement said.
The government expressed confidence in the qualifications of both candidates, noting that they possess extensive judicial experience and a strong commitment to the rule of law, human rights and international justice.
Judge Okowa is a renowned professor of international law, while Justice Ndung’u is a respected judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya with a distinguished career in constitutional and human rights law. According to the government, their election would strengthen Africa’s representation in the global justice system while reinforcing Kenya’s longstanding contribution to the development of international law and multilateralism.
On the sidelines of the Executive Council meeting, Mudavadi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and senior government officials from across Africa. The talks will focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, enhancing regional peace and security, expanding trade and investment cooperation, mobilizing support for Kenya’s judicial bids, and advancing the African Union’s institutional reform agenda, including sustainable financing of the Union.
Reaffirming Kenya’s foreign policy priorities, the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s office stated:
“Kenya remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing African unity, effective multilateralism and African-led solutions to continental challenges. Mudavadi’s participation in the Addis Ababa meetings reaffirms Kenya’s active role in shaping the African Union’s policy agenda while strengthening strategic partnerships that promote peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity across the African continent.”
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