Koome, Wetang’ula, Odhiambo mourn Justice Mohammed Ibrahim

By Newsflash Writer

Chief Justice Martha Koome and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula have led the nation in mourning Supreme Court Judge Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim, who died today, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, after a long illness.

Justice Ibrahim, a respected jurist and one of the inaugural judges of the Supreme Court of Kenya, had been unwell for some time and had previously travelled to India for specialised medical treatment. His death has drawn an outpouring of tributes from across the Judiciary, the legal fraternity and political leadership, reflecting his far-reaching influence on Kenya’s constitutional and human rights landscape.

Tributes from the Judiciary

In a statement, Chief Justice Koome described Ibrahim’s passing as a profound loss to the Judiciary and the country at large.

“On behalf of the Judiciary, the Supreme Court of Kenya, the Judicial Service Commission, and on my own behalf, I convey, with profound sorrow, the news of the passing on of Hon. Justice Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim,” Koome said. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Judiciary and JSC during this moment of immense loss.”

She traced Justice Ibrahim’s journey from a trailblazing advocate to a distinguished judge, noting that he was admitted to the Bar in 1982 and became the first member of the Kenyan-Somali community to be admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

Before joining the Bench, he was deeply involved in public interest litigation and civic advocacy, working with organisations such as Kituo cha Sheria, the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights and as a founding trustee of the Mwangaza Trust.

During the struggle for multiparty democracy in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Justice Ibrahim offered legal support to pro-democracy activists and marginalised communities, a commitment that led to his detention without trial. According to the Chief Justice, the experience profoundly shaped his lifelong devotion to constitutionalism, the rule of law and the protection of human dignity.

Trailblazer and constitutional guardian

Justice Ibrahim joined the Judiciary in 2003 as a Judge of the High Court, serving in various stations before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011 as part of its inaugural bench. His tenure was marked by intellectual rigour, calm impartiality and a strong concern for the vulnerable.

In 2022, he was unanimously elected by fellow Supreme Court judges to represent the court at the Judicial Service Commission, where he became a steady voice on judicial independence, accountability and governance. He also played a central role in strengthening electoral justice through his leadership of key Judiciary committees.

Leaders and legal fraternity react

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said he was saddened by the loss of a jurist whose legal career spanned more than three decades. He described Justice Ibrahim as a champion of social justice who consistently fought for the rights of minorities and often offered pro bono legal services.

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo paid glowing tribute to Justice Ibrahim, describing him as a towering inspiration within the legal profession. “Justice Ibrahim served on the Bench with unparalleled grace and distinguished intellect. His rare calmness reflected a deep understanding of judicial authority as a tool for service and justice as a foundation of social order,” Odhiambo said, adding that his contributions to Kenya’s jurisprudence demonstrated “great depth of character and unwavering dedication to advancing the law.”

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described Ibrahim as a friend, adviser and elder in the Somali community, saying his passing marked the close of an extraordinary chapter in Kenya’s legal history. Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, on his part, said Justice Ibrahim was an exceptional jurist whose career was defined by integrity, intellectual depth and a firm commitment to the rule of law.

As tributes continue to pour in, the Judiciary and the nation remember Justice Mohammed Ibrahim as a humble, principled judge whose legacy bridged courageous advocacy and faithful service to the Constitution.