The legal community in Kenya is reeling after the brazen assassination of senior advocate and law lecturer, Mathew Kyalo Mbobu, who was gunned down on Tuesday evening in Nairobi.
Police reports indicate that the lawyer was ambushed in a drive-by shooting as he made his way home from work. The assailant, who struck without warning, fled the scene on a motorcycle, leaving behind a cloud of fear and unanswered questions.
News of the killing has sent shockwaves across the country, drawing grief and outrage from colleagues, leaders, and former students who remembered Mbobu as a brilliant lawyer, teacher, and mentor.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) condemned the attack in the strongest terms, describing it as a premeditated assassination and a chilling reminder of the risks faced by advocates in the line of duty.
“Wakili Kyalo Mbobu was not only a fine practitioner but also an excellent teacher of law. His cold-blooded murder is abhorrent and must be investigated swiftly and conclusively,” said LSK President Faith Odhiambo.
She added that lawyers in Kenya have increasingly become targets for intimidation and violence, warning that the attack represents “a damning test of the administration of justice.” The Society called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to move with urgency to bring those responsible to book.
Mbobu, who had practiced law for three decades, built a reputation as a sharp legal mind and an authority in the law of evidence. Beyond his courtroom work, he was a longtime lecturer at the University of Nairobi’s School of Law, where he shaped the careers of countless lawyers. He also served as Chairperson of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal, leaving an indelible mark on Kenya’s legal and political landscape.
Tributes poured in from across the country. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, a former student of Mbobu, described him as a distinguished advocate and an inspiring mentor.
“Wakili Mbobu was a brilliant scholar, a devoted teacher, and a true servant of the law. I was privileged to learn under his guidance at the University of Nairobi, where his intellectual mentorship left a lasting impact,” Kingi said.
He urged police to conduct a thorough investigation, stressing that justice must be delivered not only for Mbobu’s family but also for the integrity of the legal profession and the rule of law.
As investigations begin, the assassination of Mathew Kyalo Mbobu has cast a dark shadow over the country’s legal fraternity, raising urgent questions about the safety of advocates and the growing threats facing those who dare to defend justice.
