Kenya fronts Justice Njoki Ndung’u for top ICC Judge seat
President William Ruto has nominated Njoki Susanna Ndungu as Kenya’s candidate for the upcoming judicial elections at the International Criminal Court (ICC), scheduled for December 2026.
Justice Ndung’u, who has served on the Supreme Court of Kenya since 2011, will join a global field of candidates vying for six judicial positions at the Hague-based court.
The elections will take place during the 25th session of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court, set for December 7 to 17, 2026, in The Hague, Netherlands.
Other nominees in the race include Deo John Nangela of Tanzania, Rosette Muzigo of Uganda, Everlyn Ankumah of Ghana, Guénaël Mettraux of Switzerland, Yoshimitsu Yamauchi of Japan, and Diana Carolina Olarte of Colombia.
Under Article 36 of the Rome Statute, ICC judges must be persons of high moral character, impartiality and integrity, and must possess the qualifications required for appointment to the highest judicial offices in their respective countries.
The nomination process is guided by a permanent due diligence procedure established under ICC-ASP/22/Res.3 to enhance transparency and accountability.
Additionally, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) maintains a confidential reporting channel through which any allegations of misconduct against nominated candidates can be submitted.
Justice Ndung’u is widely recognised as a distinguished legal practitioner and human rights advocate. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Human Rights and Civil Liberties, alongside a diploma in Women’s Rights.
Her professional career spans several institutions, including service as State Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General, Programme Officer at the Institute for Education in Democracy, National Protection Officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Political Analyst in Conflict Management at the African Union.
Beyond her judicial career, Ndung’u has also served in public office as a Member of the Pan-African Parliament and as a legislator in Kenya’s Ninth National Assembly between 2003 and 2007.
During her tenure, she served on several parliamentary committees, including Defence and Foreign Affairs, Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs, and the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution.
She is also credited with spearheading landmark legislation such as the Sexual Offences Act, amendments to the Employment Act that introduced paid maternity and paternity leave, and provisions in the Political Parties Act aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics.
Justice Ndung’u further served as a member of the Committee of Experts on Constitutional Review that drafted the Constitution of Kenya.
Her contributions to law and governance have earned her numerous accolades, including being named the United Nations Person of the Year in Kenya in 2006 and the International Commission of Jurists’ Jurist of the Year in the same year.
She has also received the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) and the Chief of the Burning Spear (CBS), among Kenya’s highest presidential honours.
