Jane Shako, Nairobi, Kenya / The Diaspora Times

Judge Mohammed Khadhar Ibrahim, one of Kenya’s most respected jurists and a towering figure on the nation’s highest court, has died at the age of 69 after a prolonged illness. The Judiciary of Kenya confirmed his passing on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, where he had been receiving treatment after specialized care abroad.

Chief Justice Martha Koome, speaking on behalf of the Judiciary, conveyed profound sorrow over the loss of a colleague whose career spanned some of the most consequential years in the development of Kenya’s legal and constitutional landscape. “Justice Ibrahim was a steadfast guardian of constitutionalism, electoral justice, and human dignity,” she said, extending condolences to his family, friends, and the wider legal fraternity.

Born on 1 January 1956, Ibrahim’s journey from distinguished lawyer to Supreme Court jurist reflected both personal resilience and a larger narrative of Kenya’s evolving democratic and constitutional journey. He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a professional diploma from the Kenya School of Law, before being admitted to the Roll of Advocates on 11 January 1983. Significantly, he became the first person from the Kenyan Somali community to achieve this milestone, breaking barriers in a profession historically lacking representation from marginalised communities.

Before joining the Bench, Ibrahim built a formidable reputation in private legal practice. He served as a partner at Waruhiu & Muite Advocates and later established his own firm, Mohammed Ibrahim & Associates, which evolved into Ibrahim & Isaack Advocates. His early legal career was marked by vigorous advocacy for civil rights and the rule of law, and he was actively involved with organisations such as Mwangaza Trust and Kituo cha Sheria that defended the rights of the vulnerable.

Ibrahim’s commitment to justice was tested during the final years of the one-party state. In July 1990, he was detained without trial under the then Moi regime and spent a month in solitary confinement at Kamiti Prison for providing legal counsel to pro-democracy activists, a testament to his courage in the face of state repression.

In May 2003, Ibrahim transitioned from private practice to the judiciary with his appointment to the High Court of Kenya, where he served with distinction across multiple divisions. Less than a decade later, in June 2011, he was appointed to the inaugural Supreme Court of Kenya, a role he held until his passing. During his 14-year tenure on the nation’s apex court, he was part of key rulings that shaped Kenya’s political and constitutional order, including high-profile electoral dispute cases.

Beyond his judicial duties, Justice Ibrahim served as Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee on Elections and represented the Supreme Court on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). His colleagues remember him not only for his sharp legal mind but also for his calm, measured demeanor and his commitment to mentoring younger members of the legal community.

Tributes have poured in from across the legal and political spectrum. The Law Society of Kenya described him as “a towering source of inspiration to all who dared to dream,” highlighting both his professional excellence and deep commitment to social justice.

Justice Ibrahim had been scheduled to formally retire upon reaching the mandatory age of 70 on 1 January 2026, a milestone now marked by poignant reflection on a career that left an indelible impact on Kenya’s judiciary.

He is survived by his family, whose privacy the Judiciary has respected throughout his illness. Details about funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.

For continued coverage and analysis of this and other major developments from Kenya and the diaspora, stay with The Diaspora Times.