Lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu shot dead in suspected assassination

Nairobi-based lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu, a former chairman of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, was shot dead on Tuesday evening in a drive-by attack near Galleria Mall.

According to police, Mbobu was ambushed less than a kilometre from the mall. Gunmen on a motorcycle shattered his windshield before shooting him at least three times in the chin. His body remained slumped in the driver’s seat as officers rushed to the scene. 

The assailants sped off immediately after the attack.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations recovered several spent cartridges and have launched investigations into what is being described as a targeted killing.

Mbobu, who had practised law for three decades, was also a respected law lecturer at the University of Nairobi, where he mentored generations of lawyers.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) condemned the killing in a strongly worded statement, describing it as “abhorrent” and calling for swift, thorough investigations.

“Kyalo Mbobu was a fine practitioner and an excellent teacher of law. The abhorrent crime that has claimed his life must be dealt with swiftly and conclusively,” said LSK President Faith Odhiambo.

The Society also raised concern over the growing threats faced by members of the legal profession, warning that the attack bore the hallmarks of a premeditated assassination.

Police say they are pursuing leads to track down the gunmen and establish the motive behind the shooting.