NAIROBI, Kenya — Chief Justice Martha Koome on Friday held a courtesy meeting with Judge Phoebe Okowa of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), underscoring Kenya’s engagement with international judicial institutions.
In a statement, Justice Koome said the meeting focused on the evolving role of international courts in strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding judicial independence.
“We had a fruitful discussion on the evolving role of international courts in strengthening the rule of law and judicial independence,” the Chief Justice said.
The engagement highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue between national and international judiciaries in advancing constitutionalism and promoting respect for international law.
Justice Koome noted that closer cooperation between domestic courts and international judicial bodies enhances legal certainty, professional exchange and adherence to shared principles of justice.
The meeting also reinforced the role of international courts in supporting democratic governance, particularly in an era marked by complex transnational disputes, human rights challenges and questions of state accountability.
Judge Okowa was recently elected to the ICJ, becoming the first Kenyan to serve on the world’s highest court since its establishment in 1945.
Her election has been widely viewed as a milestone for Kenya’s judiciary and its standing within the international legal community.
The ICJ, based in The Hague, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It adjudicates disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on questions of international law.
Kenya has previously appeared before the court in cases involving maritime boundaries and territorial disputes, underscoring the relevance of international adjudication to national interests.
Justice Koome said continued engagement between national courts and international judicial institutions remains critical to strengthening judicial independence, accountability, and public confidence in justice systems.
The Judiciary has in recent years emphasised comparative jurisprudence, judicial diplomacy, and international cooperation as part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing access to justice and institutional credibility.
