Supreme Court judge Njoki Ndung'u/FILE
The Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung'u has become the centre of national conversation following her high-profile nomination by President William Ruto to represent Kenya at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The nomination has sparked a debate involving the judiciary, the executive, and civil society, making her the most searched and discussed individual over the last 48 hours.
According to the list of candidates published for the upcoming election of ICC judges, Ndung'u has been nominated under the African States category.
The election will take place during the 25th session of the Assembly of States Parties scheduled to be held in New York from December 7 to December 17, 2026.
The process will see states parties elect six judges to the ICC bench.
The nominations include candidates from different regional groups and professional categories.
Ndung'u appears among nominees from African states and is listed under the female candidates in the nomination document released ahead of the elections.
Other candidates nominated from the African region include Deo John Nangela, Rosette Muzigo-Morrison and Evelyn Ankumah.
Yamauchi Yoshimitsu is a nominee under the Asia-Pacific States, Olarte Diana Carolina under the Latin American and Caribbean States and Mettraux Guénaël under the Western European and other States.
The election will be conducted by the Assembly of States Parties, the management oversight and legislative body of the ICC, which is composed of representatives from countries that are parties to the Rome Statute.
According to Article 36 of the Rome Statute, ICC judges must be persons of high moral character who demonstrate impartiality and integrity and possess the qualifications required for appointment to the highest judicial office in their respective countries
If elected, Ndungu would join the panel of judges responsible for handling cases before the international court based in The Hague, Netherlands.
What they said
The reaction to Justice Njoki's nomination has been a fascinating mix of professional acclaim and political curiosity:
Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris: "Congratulations to Lady Justice Njoki Ndung’u on Kenya’s nomination to serve as a judge at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Justice Ndung’u’s lifelong commitment to justice, her pioneering role in shaping the Sexual Offences Act, and her unwavering defense of victims of gender-based violence have left an indelible mark on Kenya and beyond.
Her nomination reflects not only her personal excellence but also the strength and credibility of Kenyan women in leadership and in the law.
May God guide your wisdom and strengthen your resolve as you take Kenya’s voice and values to the global stage. Godspeed, my friend. The nation is proud of you."
Bungoma Nominated Senator Consolata Wakwabubi: "Congratulations to Lady Justice Njoki Ndungu on your nomination by the President Williams Ruto to serve as a judge at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Your remarkable dedication to justice and the protection of the vulnerable continues to inspire many. This milestone reflects your outstanding leadership and the pride of our nation.
Wishing you success as you represent Kenya on the global stage."
The jurist on the global stage: A profile of Justice Njoki Ndung’u
Justice Njoki Ndung’u is no stranger to the limelight, but her current "trending" status marks a significant pivot from her role as a domestic arbiter of law to a potential international prosecutor.
A lawyer by training and a human rights advocate by reputation, Njoki Ndung’u first entered the public consciousness as a Nominated Member of Parliament.
She is most famously credited with being the architect of the Sexual Offences Act (2006), a landmark piece of legislation that revolutionised how Kenya handles gender-based violence.
Before joining the Bench, she served in several local, regional, and international institutions, including 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 Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and Political Analyst in Conflict Management at the African Union.
She is also a former Member of Parliament and previously served as a Member of the Pan-African Parliament
Since 2011, she has served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya, participating in some of the country’s most consequential presidential election petitions.
She participated in the 2013, 2017, and 2022 presidential election petitions. In 2017, she famously dissented from the majority decision that annulled the presidential election, providing a massive, detailed judgment defending the "sanctity of the vote
Professional Profile
Current Role: Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya (Appointed June 16, 2011).
At the Supreme Court, she heads the governance and regulatory affairs portfolio, focusing on the court’s internal rules and administrative predictability.
Recent Appointment: Elected unopposed as the Supreme Court Representative to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on January 9, 2026, and sworn in on January 13, 2026. She succeeded the late Justice Mohammed Ibrahim.
Education: Bachelor of Laws (LLB): University of Nairobi.
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights and Civil Liberties: University of Leicester, UK.
Diploma in Women’s Rights: World University Services, Austria.
Key achievements & legislative legacy
Justice Ndung’u served as a Nominated Member of Parliament (2003–2007) under the NARC party, where she authored some of Kenya's most transformative social laws:
The Sexual Offences Act (2006): She was the principal architect and mover of this landmark bill, which revolutionized the prosecution of sexual crimes in Kenya.
Maternity & Paternity Benefits: She championed amendments to the Employment Act that secured paid maternity and paternity leave for Kenyan workers.
Constitutional Reform: She was a member of the Committee of Experts (CoE) that drafted the 2010 Constitution of Kenya.
Awards and honours
Her work in human rights and law has earned her several national and international accolades:
UN Person of the Year in Kenya (2006): For her role in the Sexual Offences Act.
Jurist of the Year (2006): Awarded by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya Section.
Presidential Awards: Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) and Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS).
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!