Supreme Court Judge Mohammed Ibrahim is Dead
Kenya’s Judiciary has been plunged into mourning following the sudden death of Supreme Court Judge Mohammed Khadhar Ibrahim, a pioneering jurist and human rights defender who served on the bench for over two decades.
The respected judge, who was set to retire on January 1, 2026, upon reaching the mandatory age of 70, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, after a short illness.
Chief Justice Martha Koome led tributes to Justice Ibrahim, describing him as “a steadfast guardian of constitutionalism, electoral justice, and human dignity.”
In a heartfelt statement, Ms Koome recalled his remarkable journey, saying: “Justice Ibrahim had already distinguished himself as a trailblazing advocate, human rights defender, and public-spirited lawyer before joining the Bench.”
She added that he “served as a collegial judge, a quiet mentor, and a firm believer in principles over prominence”, noting that his life exemplified “fidelity to his oath of office, service to country, and compassion for the voiceless.”
Justice Ibrahim, the first member of the Kenyan Somali community to be admitted as an Advocate of the High Court in 1983, built a distinguished career marked by courage and commitment to justice.
During Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he provided legal support to activists and marginalised communities – work that led to his detention without trial in 1990 under the Moi regime.
His experiences fuelled a lifelong devotion to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and the protection of human dignity.
Appointed to the High Court in 2003, he was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2011 as part of the inaugural bench tasked with implementing the transformative 2010 Constitution.
He also chaired the Judiciary Committee on Elections and represented the Supreme Court on the Judicial Service Commission, where he championed transparency, integrity, and judicial independence.
Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo hailed him as “a towering source of inspiration to all who dared to dream”, praising his “unparalleled grace and distinguished intellect” on the bench.
The Judiciary, Supreme Court, and Judicial Service Commission expressed profound sorrow, extending condolences to his wife, four children, family, friends, colleagues, and the legal community.
Justice Ibrahim leaves behind a lasting legacy of advancing access to justice, institutional reform, and jurisprudential leadership in Kenya.
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Supreme Court Judge Mohammed Ibrahim is Dead