President William Ruto has officially launched Kenya’s candidature of Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung’u for election as a judge of the International Criminal Court, setting the stage for a diplomatic campaign ahead of the December 2026 elections in New York.
The launch places Kenya back in the race for a seat on the ICC bench, years after Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch served at the court between 2009 and 2018.
It also follows Kenya’s decision to withdraw the 2022 candidature of Court of Appeal Judge Wanjiru Karanja after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised that strategic considerations could affect the country’s chances of success.
This time, officials say the government has pursued a more structured, consultative and transparent process.
According to the government, the 2026 nomination was formally initiated by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor through a letter dated January 26, 2026, after notification from the Secretariat of the Assembly of States Parties. The Judiciary then invited expressions of interest from eligible judges of the superior courts, after which applications were evaluated and submitted to the Judicial Service Commission for consideration.
Three candidates were eventually recommended for further consideration before President Ruto nominated Justice Ndung’u as Kenya’s candidate through a communication made to Chief Justice Martha Koome by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on February 25, 2026.
Officials have described the process as one of Kenya’s clearest international judicial nominations, citing the traceable criteria, institutional consultations, invitation for applications, evaluation process, role of the JSC and final communication of the nomination.
“Media commentary should therefore distinguish between legitimate public scrutiny and inaccurate suggestions that the ICC nomination was opaque or informal,” an official said. “The record demonstrates the opposite. Kenya’s ICC candidature was prepared through a transparent, consultative, merit-based and legally grounded process.”
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said Kenya was presenting a candidate who meets the standards expected of judges of the international court.
“We present a candidate who, in our view, meets the highest criteria as well as integrity, competence and independence that judges of the world court should possess,” Sing’oei said.
President Ruto has already begun lobbying for Justice Ndung’u, introducing her to several leaders on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, including French President Emmanuel Macron and other visiting heads of state.
Kenya is framing the nomination not only as an individual bid, but as a national candidature meant to strengthen the country’s place in international justice. Officials say Justice Ndung’u’s candidature reflects Kenya’s commitment to the rule of law, gender-responsive justice, victim-centred jurisprudence and Africa’s continued contribution to global legal norms.
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