DPP gives IG of Police Kanja seven days to submit probe report on lawyer Mbobu's murder

Lawyers and detectives at the Lee Funeral Home converse ahead of the post-mortem of slain lawyer Kyalo Mbobu on September 11, 2025. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

By Lucy Mumbi
Thursday, September 11, 2025

While noting the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) efforts to secure justice, the DPP directed the Inspector General to accelerate investigations.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has been given seven days by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to submit a comprehensive report on the progress of investigations into the murder of lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu.

In a statement on Thursday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) condemned the killing, calling for expedited investigations.

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“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) joins the legal fraternity and all Kenyans in mourning the untimely and tragic killing of Mathew Kyalo Mbobu, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, who was fatally shot in a drive-by incident in Karen, Nairobi,” read the statement.

The DPP extended condolences to Mbobu’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider legal community, describing him as a scholar and practitioner whose career spanned academia, public service and private practice.

“His distinguished career spanned academia, public service, and private practice, and his exemplary leadership greatly shaped the teaching and practice of the Law of Evidence in Kenya,” the ODPP said.

While noting the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) efforts to secure justice, the DPP directed the Inspector General to accelerate investigations.

“Accordingly, the DPP has directed the Inspector General of Police to fast-track investigations into this incident and to submit a comprehensive status update to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions within seven (7) days for review and further action,” the DPP said.

The ODPP also echoed the DCI’s appeal for public cooperation, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the security and dignity of every Kenyan.

“The ODPP echoes the DCI’s appeal for members of the public with any information relevant to this case to come forward and share it with law enforcement agencies without delay,” it said.

Police have since obtained critical CCTV footage tracing Mbobu’s final hours from his Nairobi office to the scene of his murder. The footage shows him leaving his city office and driving to Sagret Hotel on Milimani Road, where he arrived at 11:05 am on Tuesday.

He spent three hours at the hotel in a meeting with several individuals now being treated as persons of interest. Sale receipts and timestamps confirm that the group shared lunch costing Sh3,800.

At 1:45 pm, the lawyer left Sagret Hotel and returned to his office. Investigators are also reviewing his mobile phone records for possible leads.

Later that day, at 5:09 pm, Mbobu departed from his office at Chester House. Surveillance and phone data tracked his route through Wabera Street, City Hall Way, Parliament Road, Uhuru Highway, the Nyayo Roundabout, and onto Lang’ata Road before diverting to Magadi Road.

He was just minutes away from his Boyani home in Karen when gunmen trailing him struck with precision. Detectives say the location, where traffic naturally slows, suggests the attackers carefully planned the ambush.

Police confirmed that Mbobu, who was driving alone, died instantly after being hit multiple times. His vehicle was towed to Lang’ata Police Station as detectives collected evidence.