Nairobi, Kenya- Police probing the shocking murder of Nairobi lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu say they are now piecing together a detailed timeline of his final hours, thanks to critical CCTV footage and mobile phone records.
The trail, which spans his morning meetings in the city to his last drive home, is shedding new light on how the 54-year-old advocate was targeted with chilling precision.
A Day Mapped Out in Surveillance
According to detectives, Mbobu began his day at his city office before driving to Sagret Hotel along Milimani Road, where he arrived at 11:05 a.m. CCTV timestamps and receipts confirm he spent three hours in a meeting with several individuals now listed as persons of interest in the case.
Investigators say the group shared lunch costing Sh3,800, before Mbobu left the hotel at 1:45 p.m. and returned to his office at Chester House. From there, he worked until late afternoon.
At exactly 5:09 p.m., surveillance shows him leaving Chester House and driving through Wabera Street, City Hall Way, Parliament Road, and Uhuru Highway before joining Lang’ata Road.
Minutes later, he diverted onto Magadi Road, the stretch where his assailants—who had been trailing him—made their move.
A Calculated Ambush on Magadi Road
Police believe the gunmen chose Magadi Road deliberately. Traffic naturally slows at the diversion near Galleria Mall, creating an ideal choke point.
Witnesses say two motorcycles closed in on Mbobu’s vehicle, with one rider pulling alongside before multiple shots rang out.
Eyewitnesses say the attack was both swift and terrifying.
The gunmen, dressed in face masks and helmets, sped off through the Galleria area immediately after the ambush. Police confirmed nothing was stolen, reinforcing their theory that this was a targeted assassination rather than a robbery.
Legal Fraternity Demands Justice
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has strongly condemned the killing, calling Mbobu’s death a devastating loss for the legal fraternity. LSK President Faith Odhiambo said the attack underscores the “dire state of safety” for advocates in Kenya, who are often exposed to threats because of their professional duties.
Mbobu, remembered as a distinguished legal scholar and former chair of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, also served as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
His murder has reignited debate about the protection of lawyers and other professionals working at the heart of governance and justice.
For now, investigators are sifting through CCTV footage, phone records, and eyewitness testimony to identify and track down the killers.
Detectives believe the ambush was planned with military-like precision, and the attackers may have monitored Mbobu’s movements long before the fatal day.
As the nation mourns, colleagues and family alike are demanding swift justice. The killing of Kyalo Mbobu is no longer just a personal tragedy—it has become a test of Kenya’s ability to safeguard the rule of law and protect those who uphold it.
