Kenya mounts unified campaign for Justice Njoki Ndung’u’s ICC bid

On Monday, during the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed judges to the High Court and Environment and Land Court at State House, President William Ruto convened a high-level strategy meeting that underscored the importance of the campaign. Present were Chief Justice Martha Koome, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, and Justice Ndung’u herself.

Though brief, the meeting carried a clear and unified message: Kenya is fully committed to securing Justice Ndung’u’s place on the global judicial stage.

Observers note that the visible alignment between the executive and judiciary reflects the non-partisan nature of the bid. With top state officials presenting a coordinated front, the campaign has taken on the character of a national mission rather than a political initiative.

Justice Ndung’u’s candidacy is rooted in a legal career that spans decades of transformative work in Kenya and beyond. As one of the founding judges of Kenya’s Supreme Court following the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, she has played a central role in shaping the country’s modern jurisprudence. Her contributions to constitutional and criminal law have helped define Kenya’s legal framework in the post-reform era.

Her legacy, however, extends well beyond the bench. Before her appointment to the Supreme Court, Ndung’u was instrumental in drafting Kenya’s Sexual Offences Act, landmark legislation that strengthened legal protections for survivors of gender-based violence and reshaped the country’s approach to such cases.

At the continental level, she contributed significantly to the development of the Maputo Protocol, a pioneering African Union treaty that advances women’s rights across the continent. The protocol remains one of Africa’s most consequential legal instruments in promoting gender equality.

If successful, Justice Ndung’u would join the 18-member bench of the ICC in The Hague, a court tasked with prosecuting crimes of international concern, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Her election would not only elevate Kenya’s profile in international law but also bring to the court a jurist widely regarded as a champion of justice for marginalised communities.

Kenya’s campaign is ongoing, with diplomatic efforts expected to intensify in the coming months. For many within the legal and political establishment, Ndung’u’s candidacy represents both recognition of her distinguished career and an opportunity for Kenya to shape the future of international criminal justice.