Kenya has intensified its diplomatic push to secure a seat at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Supreme Court judge Njoki Ndung’u, with top government and judicial leaders closing ranks behind her candidacy.
During a meeting held on the sidelines of a swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed judges at State House, President William Ruto convened a high-level strategy session with Chief Justice Martha Koome, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
The meeting pushed for a unified national effort to back Justice Ndung’u’s bid for one of the 18 judgeships at ICC.
Observers say the alignment of both the Executive and Judiciary signals the importance Kenya attaches to the campaign.
Notably, the ICC tries individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.
Justice Ndung’u, has been a member of the Supreme Court since its establishment in 2011. She has played a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s constitutional and criminal jurisprudence in the post-2010 era.
Her judicial record includes contributions to landmark rulings that have defined the country’s evolving legal landscape.
Before her appointment to the bench, she earned recognition as the principal architect of the Sexual Offences Act 2006. This legislation significantly reformed Kenya’s legal response to gender-based violence and strengthened protection for survivors.
Justice Njoki Ndung’u also amended the Employment Act 2007 which supports paid maternity and paternity leave.
She is also the architect of the Political Parties Act 2007 on affirmative action measures for women in politics.
Her influence extends beyond Kenya. She also contributed to the development of the Maputo Protocol. It is a landmark African Union instrument advancing women’s rights across the continent.
If successful, her election would mark a significant milestone, placing a Kenyan jurist at the heart of international criminal justice and adding an African voice with deep experience in constitutional law and human rights to the ICC bench.
Kenya’s campaign for the position remains ongoing, with diplomatic engagements expected to continue in the lead-up to the selection process.
