President William Ruto on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, officially launched the candidature of Justice Njoki Ndung’u for election as a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC) during an event held at State House, Nairobi.
The launch marked Kenya’s formal endorsement of Justice Ndung’u for the prestigious international judicial position, with government officials expressing confidence in her qualifications and experience.
Speaking during the event, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei stated that Kenya was presenting a candidate who possesses the highest standards required to serve at the World 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.
He further noted that Kenya’s endorsement of Justice Ndung’u reflects the country’s continued commitment to strengthening relations with international partners and member states under the framework of the Rome Statute.
Justice Njoki Ndung’u is widely recognized for her distinguished legal career and contribution to Kenya’s judiciary. Her candidature is expected to place Kenya at the center of discussions surrounding international justice and judicial representation at the ICC.
The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, handles cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. Kenya’s backing of Justice Ndung’u signals the country’s intention to maintain a strong presence within global legal institutions.
