Former Supreme Court judge Justice Ibrahim Mohammed will be laid to rest today, December 18, 2025, following his death on Wednesday evening in Nairobi. The Judiciary confirmed that funeral prayers and burial will take place at the Kariakor Muslim cemetery, with rites scheduled to begin at 1.40pm.
Justice Ibrahim died at 4.30 pm after a period of illness. Sources close to the family said he had been taken to India for medical treatment, but doctors later advised that he be brought back to Kenya so he could spend his final days at home.
He was preparing to proceed on terminal leave ahead of his mandatory retirement set for January 1, 2026.
He is survived by his wife and four children.
The Judiciary, in a brief statement announcing the burial arrangements, described him as a respected member of the Bench whose passing had deeply affected the institution and the wider legal fraternity.
Messages of condolence and tribute poured in from across the country, with President William Ruto leading public institutions in honouring the late judge. The President described Justice Ibrahim as “a steadfast defender of constitutional order.”
“He blazed a historic trail as the first member of his community to be admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, breaking barriers and inspiring generations to pursue justice, public service and equality under the law,” Ruto said.
Chief Justice Martha Koome remembered him as “a jurist of humility, intellect and unwavering commitment to justice.” She said Justice Ibrahim’s career reflected a rare balance between bold advocacy and principled judging, adding that his life stood as an example of service to the nation.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga described him as a colleague whose quiet courage and firm convictions helped steady the Judiciary during politically tense moments in the country’s history.
The Law Society of Kenya also joined in mourning him, with its President Faith Odhiambo calling Justice Ibrahim “a towering source of inspiration to all who dared to dream.”
Odhiambo said he served on the Bench with unmatched grace and clarity, noting that his calm demeanour reflected a deep understanding of judicial power and responsibility.
"Justice Ibrahim stood out as an independent, astute voice of reason. His sound contributions to Kenya's jurisprudence portrayed great wealth of knowledge, depth of character, and dedication to advancing the law. He will be dearly missed by all who experienced him," she said.
Justice Ibrahim’s legal career spanned more than four decades and cut across private practice, human rights work, and judicial service. Before his appointment to the High Court in June 2011, he had already earned a reputation as a fearless advocate and defender of public interest causes.
Admitted to the Bar in 1982, he made history as the first member of the Kenyan Somali community to be admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He worked with leading law firms before setting up his own practice and was actively involved in public interest cases during some of the country’s most difficult political periods.
His commitment to access to justice was reflected in his work with organisations including Kituo cha Sheria, the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, and as a founding trustee of the Mwangaza Trust. He was also known for standing firmly with pro-democracy activists in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Justice Ibrahim joined the Judiciary in 2003 as a High Court judge, later rising to the Supreme Court, where he played a key role in shaping Kenya’s constitutional law. In 2022, he was elected as the Supreme Court representative to the Judicial Service Commission, further cementing his influence on judicial governance.
