Supreme Court Judge Ibrahim Mohammed /HANDOUT
Supreme Court Judge Ibrahim Mohammed is dead.
Sources close to the family say Mohammed had been taken to India for treatment, but doctors advised that he be returned home to Kenya for his last days.
Before joining the Bench, Justice Ibrahim
had already distinguished himself as a
trailblazing advocate, human rights
defender, and public-spirited lawyer.
Admitted to the Bar in 1982, he was the first
member of the Kenyan Somali community
to be admitted as an Advocate of the High
Court of Kenya.
He practised law with
notable firms before establishing his own
practice and was deeply engaged in public
interest litigation and civic advocacy during
some of Kenya’s most challenging political
periods.
His work with organisations such
as Kituo cha Sheria, the Lawyers Committeе
for Human Rights, and as a founding trusteе
of the Mwangaza Trust, reflected a lifelong commitment to access to justice, inclusion,
and the defence of fundamental rights.
During Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Justice Ibrahim
stood firmly with pro-democracy forces, offering legal support to activists and marginalised
communities.
His principled advocacy led to his detention without trial, an experience that
profoundly shaped his lifelong devotion to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and the protection of
human dignity.
He also served as a Council Member of the Law Society of Kenya, contributing to
the strengthening of the legal profession and ethical practice.
Justice Ibrahim joined the Judiciary in 2003 as a Judge of the High Court of Kenya, where he served
with distinction in various stations.
In 2011, he was elevated to the Supreme Court as a member of
the inaugural bench, entrusted with the historic responsibility of giving meaning and effect to
Kenya’s transformative 2010 Constitution.
His judicial career was marked by intellectual rigour,
calm impartiality, and a deep concern for the vulnerable and marginalised.
In addition to his judicial responsibilities, Hon. Justice Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim was
unanimously elected in 2022 by the Justices of the Supreme Court to serve as the Court’s
representative to the Judicial Service Commission.
He served with distinction as a Commissioner
of the JSC, where he brought to bear his deep commitment to judicial independence and accountability. In that role, he was a steady and thoughtful voice in matters relating to judicial
governance, appointments, discipline, and the overall strengthening of the Judiciary as an
institution.
He firmly believed that judicial independence and accountability are complementary, not competing values, and consistently
championed transparency, integrity, and fidelity to constitutional norms.
His contribution to the
work of the Commission helped reinforce public confidence in the Judiciary and safeguard its
constitutional mandate during periods of intense public and political scrutiny.
A jurist of exceptional humility and integrity, Justice Ibrahim will be remembered as a steadfast
guardian of constitutionalism, electoral justice, and human dignity.
He served as Chairperson of
the Judiciary Committee on Elections, and earlier as Chairperson of the ad hoc Judiciary Working
Committee on Election Preparations, roles through which he significantly strengthened
institutional preparedness and public confidence in the adjudication of electoral disputes.
He was
a collegial judge, a quiet mentor, and a firm believer in principles over prominence.