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Grief-stricken family of murdered lawyer demands speedy probe
Slain city lawyer Kyalo Mbobu’s mother, Anna Mbeleve, and his younger brother James Maluki, at Maiani Village in Makueni County on September 10, 2025.
A sombre mood engulfed the home of slain city lawyer Kyalo Mbobu in Maiani, Makueni County, as relatives and neighbours came to terms with the news of his killing.
Mbobu’s younger brother, James Maluki, said that the family learned about the Tuesday shooting incident on social media, as their mother Anna Mbeleve urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to arrest her son’s killers.
“He was not involved in any controversial cases. It is not clear whether the killing is related to his work or whether it is an act of thuggery. Evidently, the killers had trailed him for some time. They knew the time he drove home. It appears they also knew his car,” Mr Maluki told the Nation.
Himself a lawyer in Nairobi, too, Mr Maluki was among the first to arrive at the Lee Funeral Home, where police had taken his brother’s body after he was shot dead as he drove to his Karen home on Tuesday evening.
“We positively identified the body. We realised my elder brother had sustained several bullet wounds on the right side of the head,” he said.
As news of Mbobu’s murder spread online, family members moved frantically to shield the children from exposure to the shocking details.
“We laud the mainstream media for managing the story well. However, we have a big problem with social media. We had to call the schools where our children are enrolled and ask them to turn off television sets and ensure that our children had no access to mobile phones. Still, we had a difficult time consoling them,” said Mr Maluki’s wife, Mary Mumbe.
Mbobu’s mother struggled to accept the news.
“Kyalo was my second-born son. He was very supportive. After learning that he is gone, I am frail. He was a highly disciplined child,” she said, calling on the police to act swiftly and reveal who wanted her son dead.
In the neighbourhood, residents described Mbobu as a source of pride and a philanthropist. They called on the government to beef up security.
“He was a role model for our children. For many years, he inspired them to excel in their studies. We are disturbed by his murder since he was a professional with no known record of corruption. The government should assure us that our children are safe,” said neighbour Juliana Mulandi.
Among Mbobu’s mentees was Mr Maluki, who majored in commercial law under his elder brother’s guidance. He described Mbobu as a man of unquestionable integrity and urged police to get to the bottom of the killing.
Until his death, Mbobu was a lecturer at the University of Nairobi and the Kenya School of Law. He previously served as chairperson of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior mourned him as a family friend and an astute legal mind.
“We have lost a personal family friend, mentor and meticulous legal mind. He successfully defended an election petition challenging my victory in the last General Election. It is disturbing that gun-wielding gangsters can commit such a crime in broad daylight and on a very busy road. We are hopeful that the DCI will expeditiously bring to book the organisers and perpetrators of the cold-blooded murder,” he said.
Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo expressed deep concern over the safety of advocates in Kenya.
“While we await preliminary reports on the identity of the perpetrator and the motive, we are apprehensive that this has all the markings of a pre-determined assassination. Too often, advocates have been victimised and targeted for the work they do,” she said.
“This incident and other acts of violence, intimidation and retribution against advocates of the High Court of Kenya represent a damning test to the administration of justice. The effective discharge of the constitutional functions of advocates requires an environment that allows them to work without fear of persecution. We decry this detestable act and demand that the perpetrators be hunted down and brought to book,” she added.
Ms Odhiambo praised Mbobu’s contributions to the profession, describing him as a pillar in the teaching and practice of law.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi also condemned the killing.
“I was honoured to be one of his students at the Parklands Campus of the University Nairobi, where we benefited from his intellectual mentorship. We expect the police to carry out speedy and thorough investigations to unearth the reason and culprits behind this heinous crime and ensure justice is served,” Mr Kingi said.
In a statement issued yesterday, the DCI said it collected critical evidence from the scene of the shooting on Magadi Road. The agency pledged to ensure justice for the family and appealed to the public to share any information that could assist in the investigation.
The DCI said investigations are being led by Nairobi Regional Director of Criminal Investigations Benson Kasyoki.
