Gachagua mourns Justice Ibrahim as champion of justice and democracy
By Faith Lagat, December 18, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has led tributes to the late Supreme Court Justice Mohammed Khadhar Ibrahim, describing him as a towering champion of justice, democracy, and social equity for the marginalised.
In a heartfelt post on X dated December 18, 2025, Gachagua expressed profound grief over the passing of Justice Ibrahim, who died on December 17, 2025.
“It is deeply painful to learn the passing on of Hon. Justice Mohammed Khadhar Ibrahim, a judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya,” Gachagua wrote.
He praised the late jurist’s intellect and unwavering commitment: “Justice Mohammed will be remembered for his intellect and commitment to social justice, the rule of law and democracy. He stood with the people of Kenya during the difficult moment of our nation, Kenya, and bore the brunt of dictatorial detentions during the struggle for multiparty democracy in the 1990s.”
Gachagua highlighted Ibrahim’s inspirational role, stating that Mohammed was a great inspiration to many people in Kenya. He lives on as a man of character and a progressive believer in justice for all and especially the marginalised.
He extended condolences to the family, friends, and the judiciary, calling the death “a big blow not only to the judiciary but also Kenya as a whole,” and prayed for eternal peace for Ibrahim’s soul.
Tributes
Veteran human rights lawyer and former Central Imenti MP Gitobu Imanyara also paid glowing tribute, recalling their shared detention under the Moi regime.
In his X post on December 18, 2025, Imanyara wrote, “I have received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of Mohamed Khadhar Ibrahim, Justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya. Kenya has lost a principled jurist whose life was marked by courage, restraint, and an abiding commitment to justice and constitutionalism.”
Chief Justice Martha Koome described Justice Ibrahim as a steadfast guardian of judicial independence and accountability. “He firmly believed that judicial independence and accountability are complementary, not competing values, and consistently championed transparency, integrity, and fidelity to constitutional norms,” Koome said. She portrayed him as “a collegial judge, a quiet mentor, and a firm believer in principles over prominence.”
President William Ruto mourned him as a steadfast champion of multi-party democracy, while former Chief Justice David Maraga called him a courageous jurist.
Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo termed him a jurist of “unparalleled grace and distinguished intellect.” Justice Ibrahim, a founding member of the Supreme Court under the 2010 Constitution, joined the judiciary in 2003 and was the first Kenyan Somali admitted to the Bar in 1983.