Police trace last moments of city lawyer gunned down

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) say they were following several leads in the investigation into the assassination of city lawyer Kyalo Mbobu.

The police yesterday said they were tracing the deceased’s last moments to unearth the killers.

“We are on top of it, we have several leads that we are following but we are yet to get a suspect,” said Nairobi Region DCI boss Renson Kasyoki.

Detectives said they had collected three shell casings at the scene of crime on Magadi Road, which would undergo a ballistic examination.

DCI Head of Corporate Communication John Marete appealed to Kenyans to volunteer information that they may help trace the killers.

Yesterday, the lawyer's staff at his Town House office were still in shock, describing their boss as a good and kind man.

They said the lawyer spent his day in the office attending court virtually before leaving at around 4.30pm.

His employees described the Arsenal fan as a morning person who was always at the office before 7am.

“He would always come, in drop his stuff and then go to church. We would always find him here in the office” said one.

A guard at the building described him as a jovial man. Collins Naibei said the lawyer bid him goodbye at around 4.30pm as he went downstairs to Kaunda Street where he had parked his vehicle.

“In the morning he always used the stairs to go to his office,” said Naibei.

Dominic Onderi, a cleaner, said Mbobu would always make jokes about his team Chelsea losing in the English Premier League.

“He would always talk and treat us like his own children. Yesterday we met in the morning and he told me we would meet later in the day as he was heading to church.”

His Boyani home in Karen was yesterday a beehive of activity as friends and colleagues came to condole with his family.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo condemned the killing, saying the association was worried about the safety of its members.

She said Mbobu’s killing had all the markings of a pre-determined assassination. “Too often, advocates have been victimised and targeted for the work that they do.”

She said the assassination and other acts of violence, intimidation and retribution against advocates represents a damning test to the administration of justice.

The Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi and his National Assembly counterpart Moses Wetangula described the shooting as devastating and shocking, calling for speedy investigations on the “heinous and cowardly act”.

Kingi mourned Mbobu as a distinguished advocate, an outstanding law scholar and a dedicated public servant, having served as chairperson of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal.

“I was honoured to be one of his students at the Parklands Campus of the University Nairobi, where we benefited from his intellectual mentorship," said Kingi.

Senior Counsel Bar chairperson, Phillip Murgor, said the killer appeared to have been well trained on the use of firearms. He said the lawyer has left behind a memorable legacy as a law lecturer and author of scholarly articles.

“When actors in the justice chain, including judges, magistrates and advocates come under attack through threats, harm or even murder, society as a whole is placed in jeopardy.” [Fred Kagonye]  

Murgor also called for investigation into claims by Kung’u Muigai where he was complaining about a dispute regarding a loan and the sale of security used to secure the loan.

Mbobu has represented Muigai in the matter.

When reached for a comment Muigai told The Standard that he did not know what could have led to the killing calling on police to bring the killers to book.

“I do not know who the killers are but if police can investigate my claims thoroughly maybe they will find the killers,” he said.

Muigai said that Mbobu had evidence about the case including audio recordings and affidavits which he said made his case strong.

Murgor said that the law fraternity welcomes assurances that the matter will be probed thoroughly asking the police to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible.

“It is only in this way, that the confidence will be restored in the legal profession, that the law enforcement agencies view advocates as partners in the administration of justice, rather than opponents, and adversaries.”