Supreme Court Judge is Dead
Supreme Court Judge Ibrahim Mohammed has sadly passed away after a long struggle with illness.
The Judiciary announced that he died on Wednesday, December 17, at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, where he was receiving treatment, around 4:30 PM. He was 69 years old.
Justice Ibrahim had been undergoing treatment after returning from India, where he had been hospitalized.
While in India, he received specialized care in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, the doctors there eventually advised him to return to Kenya to spend his final days at home.
The specifics of his illness are still a bit of a mystery. Both the Judiciary and his family have been quite private about the details, only describing it as a “prolonged” or “long illness.”
“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.) Justice Mohammed Kadhar Ibrahim, Judge of the Supreme Commissioner of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC),” Chief Justice Martha Koome said while confirming the news.
Adding, “We extend our deepest to his colleagues, and the entire Judiciary and JSC during this moment of immense loss.”
Justice Ibrahim’s battle with illness has been well-known, especially given his prominent position. A significant moment came in August 2017 when he fell ill during the presidential election petition hearing brought by Raila Odinga. After that health scare in 2017, he dedicated a considerable amount of time to receiving treatment in South Africa.
Since June 2011, he has been a vital part of the Apex court, contributing to the panel of judges that tackled the highly debated cases surrounding the 2013 and 2022 presidential elections.
In a heartfelt tribute to the judge, the President of the Law Society of Kenya, Faith Odhiambo, described Justice Mohammed as “a towering source of inspiration to all who dared to dream.”
“Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, SCJ. Justice Ibrahim served on the bench with unparalleled grace and distinguished intellect. His rare calmness spoke of a man who fully understood the role of judicial authority as an opportunity to serve and the nuances of justice as a tool for maintaining social order,” she said in a statement.
Adding, “His passing on is a big loss to the Supreme Court, the Judiciary, and to the administration of Justice in Kenya.”
Justice Ibrahim, born on January 1, 1956, made a remarkable mark in history as the first individual from the Kenyan-Somali community to be admitted to the Bar.
He pursued his law studies at the University of Nairobi and kicked off his private practice in November 1982, officially joining the Roll of Advocates on January 11, 1983.
In 1994, he founded his own firm, Mohammed Ibrahim & Associates, which later grew into Ibrahim & Isaack Advocates in 1997.
However, his extended absence from the bench during this time prompted a petition from a private citizen, Kelvin Njihia, to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), calling for his removal due to alleged inability to fulfill his duties.
At the time of his passing, Justice Ibrahim had been serving as the Supreme Court representative to the Judicial Service Commission since May 2022.
He also held the position of Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee on Elections, a role he was appointed to in August 2021 by the Chief Justice.
This highly esteemed judge was on track to officially retire on January 1, 2026, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 as outlined in the constitution.
Supreme Court Judge is Dead
