Supreme Court Judge Mohammed Khadhar Ibrahim has passed away at the age of 69 after a prolonged illness. He died on Wednesday, December 17, at around 4:30 p.m. while receiving treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
Illness and Treatment
Justice Ibrahim had recently returned from India, where he was admitted to an intensive care unit for specialised treatment. Doctors later recommended that he return home to Kenya to spend his final days surrounded by family. The Judiciary and his family have consistently maintained privacy regarding the exact nature of his illness, referring to it only as a “long illness.”
Official Tributes
Chief Justice Martha Koome confirmed the news, stating:
“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 passing of Hon. Justice Mohammed Khadhar Ibrahim.”
She added that the Judiciary extends its deepest condolences to his colleagues and the Judicial Service Commission during this moment of immense loss.
Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo described him as “a towering source of inspiration to all who dared to dream,” praising his calmness, intellect, and dedication to justice.
Judicial Career
- Appointed to the Supreme Court in June 2011.
- Served on panels that heard the 2013 and 2022 presidential election petitions.
- Fell ill during the 2017 presidential election petition hearings, later undergoing treatment in South Africa.
- Represented the Supreme Court at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) since May 2022.
- Chaired the Judiciary Committee on Elections from August 2021.
- Was due to retire on January 1, 2026, upon reaching the constitutional retirement age of 70.
Early Life and Legal Practice
- Born on January 1, 1956, Justice Ibrahim was the first Kenyan-Somali admitted to the Bar.
- Studied law at the University of Nairobi.
- Entered private practice in 1982 and was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1983.
- Founded Mohammed Ibrahim & Associates in 1994, later expanding it into Ibrahim & Isaack Advocates in 1997.
Legacy
Justice Ibrahim is remembered as a trailblazer, a calm and distinguished jurist, and a defender of judicial integrity. His passing marks a significant loss to the Supreme Court, the judiciary, and the administration of justice in Kenya.
