Ruto mourns Justice Ibrahim as steadfast champion of multi-party democracy
By Mustafa Juma, December 18, 2025President William Ruto has led the nation in mourning the death of Supreme Court judge Mohammed Ibrahim.
Taking to his official X account on the night of Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Ruto said the country will remember Justice Ibrahim as a principled jurist, a passionate defender of human rights, and a steadfast champion of multi-party democracy.
The Head of State further hailed Justice Ibrahim for making history as the first member of the Somali community to be admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
“We will remember Supreme Court Judge Mohammed Ibrahim as a principled jurist, a passionate defender of human rights, and a steadfast champion of multi-party democracy,” Ruto stated.
“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.”
“On my own behalf, and on behalf of all Kenyans, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire legal fraternity. May they find comfort in his enduring legacy and in the profound impact of a life devoted to justice and the rule of law.”
Kindiki’s message of condolence
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, in his message of condolence, said Justice Ibrahim had spent many years defending the rights and freedoms of others as a public interest lawyer before becoming a judge.
Kindiki further mourned him as a sharp judicial mind, fiercely independent and a calm but firm mentor to many younger members of the Kenyan Bench and the Bar.
“Shocked to learn of the passing on of Justice Mohamed Ibrahim, Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya. Justice Mohamed spent many years defending the rights and freedoms of others as a public interest lawyer before becoming a judge,” Kindiki stated.
“He distinguished himself as a sharp judicial mind, fiercely independent and a calm but firm mentor to many younger members of the Kenyan Bench and the Bar. An accomplished and industrious son of Kenya has rested, but his immense influence on the country’s legal and judicial system will permanently impact on many for generations to come.”
CJ Martha Koome’s message
Chief Justice Martha Koome mourned him as a jurist of exceptional humility and integrity, saying he will be remembered as a steadfast guardian of constitutionalism, electoral justice, and human dignity.
“The Judiciary, the Supreme Court and the JSC mourn the loss of a distinguished jurist whose legacy bridges courageous advocacy and principled judging, and whose life exemplified fidelity to his oath of office, service to country, and compassion for the voiceless,” CJ Koome said.
“We stand in solidarity with his family, friends, and the entire Judiciary community during this difficult period of mourning, and we call for sensitivity and compassion as we share in this collective grief.”
Wetang’ula mourns Justice Ibrahim
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has mourned Justice Ibrahim as one of the inaugural judges of the Supreme Court of Kenya, with a highly decorated career in the legal industry spanning over 34 years.
According to Wetang’ula, Justice Mohamed Ibrahim will be remembered for his active role in bringing social justice and fighting for minority groups to have equal rights, and he often offered pro bono services.
“I am saddened to learn of the demise of Hon. Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya, after a long illness. Hon. Ibrahim was one of the inaugural judges of the Supreme Court of Kenya with a highly decorated career in the legal industry spanning over 34 years. He will be remembered for his active role in bringing social justice and fighting for minority groups to have equal rights, and he often offered pro bono services. His loss is a monumental one for the legal industry and the judiciary at large. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” Wetang’ula stated.
LSK mourns
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, in her message of condolence, said that Justice Ibrahim’s 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.
“I have received the sad news of the passing on of Hon. Mr. Justice Mohammed Ibrahim, SCJ. Justice Ibrahim served in 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. His passing on is a big loss to the Supreme Court, the Judiciary, and to the administration of Justice in Kenya,” Faith Odhiambo stated.