Nairobi, Kenya- The brazen assassination of Nairobi lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu has sent shockwaves across Kenya, prompting top leaders and the legal fraternity to demand urgent investigations.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi led the outcry, describing the murder as a “cold-blooded and heinous act” that must not go unpunished.
Mbobu, 54, was gunned down on Tuesday evening in what police believe was a targeted shooting. Preliminary reports indicate he was driving along the Galleria–Brookhouse stretch toward Ongata Rongai when a motorcyclist pulled up and opened fire.
The lawyer was struck multiple times before his vehicle came to a halt. Detectives later towed the car to Lang’ata Police Station for forensic analysis, while his body was moved to Lee Funeral Home. Authorities confirmed the assailants—two men on motorcycles—sped off after the attack, leaving behind a crime scene that stunned both residents and colleagues.
Police have yet to establish the motive or track down the gunmen, but a senior detective hinted that investigators are treating the case as a pre-planned assassination.
Kingi and LSK Lead Calls for Justice
In a strongly worded statement, Speaker Kingi urged security agencies to act swiftly and transparently.
“As the nation grapples with the horror of this incident, I strongly urge the police and relevant authorities to carry out swift, thorough, and transparent investigations. The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice without delay,” Kingi said.
Kingi paid tribute to Mbobu as a brilliant legal scholar, an accomplished academic, and a dedicated public servant.
He recalled his time as Mbobu’s student at the University of Nairobi’s Parklands Campus, describing him as a mentor whose deep legal insight shaped future generations of lawyers.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) echoed the Speaker’s sentiments. LSK President Faith Odhiambo mourned the fallen advocate, saying the murder underscored the growing risks faced by legal practitioners.
“Too often, Advocates have been victimized and targeted for the work that they do. This bears all the markings of a pre-determined assassination,” Odhiambo warned.
She highlighted Mbobu’s tenure as Chairperson of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, where he made “instrumental contributions” to governance and upheld justice with integrity. Odhiambo also pointed to his academic influence, noting that his writings, particularly on the law of evidence, will continue to guide legal practice in Kenya.
Renewed Fears Over Safety of Legal Practitioners
The killing has revived debate about the safety of advocates and public officials who handle sensitive cases. According to Odhiambo, the murder is not just a personal tragedy but a test to Kenya’s justice system.
“The effective discharge of the constitutional functions of Advocates requires an environment that facilitates autonomy to work without fear of persecution,” she said, demanding a full-scale investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The LSK called for an “all-hands-on-deck” approach, urging authorities to hunt down those responsible. For many in the profession, Mbobu’s death is a chilling reminder of how dangerous legal work can be in an environment where accountability is often resisted.
A Nation in Mourning
Beyond the shockwaves it sent through the legal community, Mbobu’s assassination has left a gaping hole in Kenya’s governance and academic space. Colleagues, students, and leaders alike remember him not just for his intellect but for his integrity and dedication to nurturing young legal minds.
Speaker Kingi, in his tribute, summed it up: “Wakili Kyalo Mbobu was a distinguished Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a brilliant legal scholar, and a dedicated public servant.”
As investigations continue, Kenyans await answers on who orchestrated the attack and why. For now, the outcry from both Parliament and the legal fraternity underscores a shared demand: justice for Mbobu, and stronger protections for those who serve the rule of law.
