Suspects in murder of lawyer Kyalo Mbobu detained for 15 days pending probe

Four suspects linked to the murder of Nairobi lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu were detained for 15 days pending investigations, according to the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Milimani. The suspects, Julia Cheruiyot, Nicholas Lemiso, Noah Langat and Kennedy Kipkemei, were ordered to be held at different police stations following the chief magistrate's order.

Mbobu, a city lawyer and partner at Kyalo and Associates, was shot dead on September 9, 2025, while driving near Brookhouse International School in Lang'ata. He was allegedly ambushed by armed assailants on a motorcycle, who opened fire before fleeing the scene. Police recovered bullet fragments, a spent cartridge, bullet heads and additional fragments during their investigation.

An autopsy revealed that Mbobu died from multiple gunshot injuries, with eight bullet wounds to his upper body and neck. The investigation linked the suspects to the murder through ballistic analysis, with cartridge cases and recovered bullets matching a CZ 85B pistol allegedly issued to Cheruiyot, a police officer. The four suspects were arrested on September 24 during an intelligence-led operation, with police recovering additional items like firearms, mobile phones and motorcycles.

The DCI had sought to detain the suspects for 30 days, citing flight risk, witness interference, collusion with accomplices, and public safety concerns over the lawyer's murder. The matter will be mentioned on October 9, 2026.