NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan Judiciary has lost one of its most steadfast pillars. On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Supreme Court Justice Mohamed Khadhar Ibrahim passed away at the age of 69.
His death marks the end of a storied legal career that spanned over four decades, during which he transitioned from a fiery human rights advocate to a respected arbiter of the nation’s most significant constitutional disputes.
Justice Ibrahim passed on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, shortly after 4:30 pm at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi. He had recently returned from India, where he had been receiving specialized care in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
While breaking the news, Chief Justice Martha Koome extended her deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Judiciary during this moment of immense loss.
“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. (Mr.) Justicе Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim, Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya and Commissioner of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Judiciary and JSC during this moment of immense loss,” she said in a statement.
“The Judiciary, the Supreme Court and the JSC mourn the loss of a distinguished jurist whose legacy bridges courageous advocacy and principled judging, and whose life exemplified fidelity to his oath of office, service to country, and compassion for the voiceless.”
Justice Mohamed Warsame, who confirmed the news, explained that the decision to bring him back to Kenya was made upon medical advice to allow him to spend his final moments surrounded by family and his homeland.
Justice Warsame reflected on the deep cultural and professional impact of this loss, stating:
“Ibrahim’s passing is a loss to Muslim presence in the Supreme Court, a blow to Somalis, and a special blow to my Dhulbahante clan, which he belonged to. May he rest in peace.”
From pro-democracy activist to Supreme Court jurist
Born in 1956, Justice Ibrahim’s journey to the bench was defined by resilience. After being admitted to the Bar in 1983, he became a prominent figure in the “Young Turks” movement during the 1990s, advocating for multi-party democracy in Kenya.
His activism led to his detention without trial by the state in 1990, a testament to his early commitment to the rule of law.
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In 2003, he was appointed a Judge of the High Court, where he served with distinction for eight years. His career reached its zenith in June 2011, when he was appointed as one of the inaugural justices of the Supreme Court of Kenya following the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
Key contributions to Kenyan jurisprudence
Justice Ibrahim was known for his meticulous legal mind and his soft-spoken but firm demeanor. During his 14-year tenure at the Supreme Court, he was involved in several landmark decisions that shaped the nation:
- Presidential election petitions: He sat on the bench for the historic 2013, 2017, and 2022 presidential election petitions, contributing to the development of electoral jurisprudence in Africa.
- Constitutional integrity: He was a vocal defender of the separation of powers and the protection of the Bill of Rights.
- Judicial ethics: He was often cited for his humility and his ability to bridge gaps between differing legal philosophies on the bench.
A legacy of representation
Beyond the law, Justice Ibrahim was a symbol of progress for minority communities in Kenya. As a member of the Somali community and the Dhulbahante clan, his ascent to the highest court in the land served as an inspiration for inclusivity in the nation’s public institutions.
He is remembered by his colleagues as a man of immense integrity who never forgot his roots as a human rights defender. He is survived by his wife and four children.
As the Judiciary begins its period of mourning, the flags at the Supreme Court building fly at half-mast to honor a man who dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice.
