Justice Mohammed Khadhar Ibrahim, who passed away on Wednesday, was a distinguished member of Kenya’s judiciary, serving on the inaugural Supreme Court from 16th June 2011.
In May 2022, he was elected as the Supreme Court representative to the Judicial Service Commission and later chaired the Judiciary Committee on Elections.
He studied law at the University of Nairobi before joining Messrs Waruhiu & Muite Advocates in 1982, becoming the first Kenyan Somali admitted to the Bar in 1983.
He rose to full partner by 1987 and later established his own firm, Mohammed Ibrahim & Associates, which evolved into Ibrahim & Isaack Advocates. The firm handled civil, constitutional, commercial, and property law cases.
Justice Ibrahim was a strong advocate for minority rights, notably defending the Somali community against discriminatory policies.
He also engaged in pro bono work and community service, and his opposition to aspects of the one-party regime led to his detention in 1990 for advising pro-democracy activists.
Active in legal and human rights circles, he served on the Law Society of Kenya Council, Kituo Cha Sheria, LEAD, and was a founding trustee of Mwangaza Trust.
He joined the High Court in 2003, serving in the Civil, Commercial, and Judicial Review divisions, before transfers to Eldoret and Mombasa, where he was Resident Judge.
His career culminated with his appointment to the Supreme Court, where he contributed significantly to constitutional and electoral matters in Kenya.