Mudavadi: The government backs Njoki Ndungu for ICC judge role

The government has thrown its full weight behind the candidacy of Njoki Ndungu for the position of judge at the International Criminal Court.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has confirmed a coordinated diplomatic push to secure her election at the Hague-based court.

Speaking after hosting Chief Justice Martha Koome and Justice Ndungu at his Railways office in Nairobi, Mudavadi said the Judiciary and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs had begun strategising on how to market Kenya’s candidate on the global stage.

“I assured the Judiciary that the candidacy has the tacit backing of President William Ruto and that the Cabinet had endorsed it,” said Mudavadi, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.

The position is highly competitive, with the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC expected to elect six new judges during its 25th session scheduled for December 7 to 17, 2026, in New York.

By the end of March, at least 15 candidates had expressed interest in the six slots, eight of them from Africa, with the application deadline set for April 12.

Mudavadi said the government had already established a framework for a robust international campaign aimed at ensuring Justice Ndungu emerges victorious in the December vote.

“We want to run a robust campaign that will ensure victory for our candidate. We will reach out to everyone who will have a vote,” he said.

He added that a multi-agency committee bringing together the Judiciary, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other stakeholders would spearhead a coordinated campaign to rally support among member states.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary further praised Kenya’s Judiciary, noting that it has earned global respect for its independence and jurisprudence.

“The Kenyan Judiciary is admired across the world, and we believe Justice Ndungu represents the very best of that tradition,” he said.

Mudavadi also called for national unity in support of the bid, urging Kenyans to avoid political divisions that could undermine the country’s chances.

“This is not the time to play political games. Let us not shoot ourselves in the foot by besmirching our candidate out there; we should speak positively about her across the world,” he said.

Koome echoed the sentiments, describing Ndungu as one of Kenya’s finest legal minds and urging the government to leverage its diplomatic networks to secure victory.

“Kenya is offering one of the best of its judges. All we request is support from everyone who can contribute to this campaign,” Koome said.

She added that Kenya has previously contributed to the development of international jurisprudence, including through its past engagements with the ICC.

On her part, Ndungu expressed confidence in her candidacy, pledging to represent Kenya with distinction if elected.

“I will ensure Kenya is well represented in the international arena. My victory will be that of Kenyans,” she said. “It is our responsibility to market our country globally through such opportunities.”

The meeting was also attended by senior diplomats, including Ambassador Halima Yussuf Mucheke of Kenya’s embassy in the Netherlands, Ambassador Galma Boru to Ethiopia, and Ambassador Yabesh Monari, Deputy Permanent Representative at Kenya’s mission to the United Nations in New York.