Mbobu killing an attack on legal profession, says Law Society as members demand answers
National
By
Standard Team
| Sep 13, 2025
Lawyers across the country on Friday staged peaceful protests over the killing of lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu, who was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Karen, Nairobi, on Tuesday evening.
In Nairobi, lawyers marched from the Milimani Law Courts to Vigilance House, where they presented their grievances to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
At the same time the lawyers through the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) condemned the killing, calling it an attack on the legal profession and that the killing of the advocate does not violate his rights but also undermines their client’s access to justice.
“This killing also brings into question several things. Recently, we saw the killing of an MP, now an advocate. It raises questions on how gun control is managed in our country,” said Odhiambo.
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In their petition to the Inspector General of Police, they demanded a speedy and transparent investigation, regular public updates from police, and protection for advocates handling sensitive cases.
“We are also appealing for strengthening firearm control and accountability mechanisms to prevent misuses of weapons by unauthorised persons,” the LSK President added
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka who joined the protest described Mbobu’s killing as worrying but lauded police for leading a peaceful protest.
“Whoever killed Kyalo must be brought to book expeditiously, the police who have also been perpetrating killings in this country. Street gangsterism should never be allowed to rule this country,” Kalonzo added
A similar March dubbed Purple Ribbon was held in Kisumu where West Kenya LSK chairperson, Grace Otieno, said the legal fraternity was in “profound grief and outrage” following the assassination.
She described it not just as an act of violence, but a calculated hit against a man who had dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice in Kenya citing that Mbobu’s shooting was calculated.
“Lawyers handling sensitive cases such as land disputes, corruption and human rights violations routinely face intimidation, harassment, and even direct threats to their lives and families.”
She added that the killing of Mbobu proved that such threats were not empty but real. “We shall not be in a position to deliver justice efficiently if we continue to operate in an insecure environment. This, in turn, will deprive Kenyans of their constitutional right to access justice,” she said.
Otieno called upon the National Police Service to expedite investigations and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly arrested and prosecuted.
She also raised concerns about insecurity in Kisumu County, urging the County Security Team to take proactive measures calling for the County Commissioner to implement proactive policing that will address these concerns and ensure rapid response to calls of distress.
LSK Council Member Vincent Githaiga noted that it was alarming that days later no arrest had been made “We are asking the government to expedite the investigations, because we are at a loss as to what exactly the investigation bodies are doing with respect to arrests, arraignment and prosecution of the perpetrators,” Githaiga said.
“The state of security in Nairobi, and indeed the entire country, is alarming. We have seen armed gangsters roaming in broad daylight and causing mayhem to Kenyans. The death of our colleague reminds us of other colleagues who have died in the line of duty,” he said
Adding that, “We condemn the killing in the strongest terms possible and call for the safety of all lawyers as they discharge their duties and even as they return home to their families after work.”
[Reports by Pkemoi Ng’enoh, Rogers Otiso and Daniel Chege]