The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has strongly condemned the killing of advocate Kyalo Mbobu in Nairobi, calling on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to immediately carry out a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Society described the attack as a chilling warning to legal practitioners, highlighting the growing risks they face while performing their constitutional duties.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night, LSK President Faith Odhiambo expressed deep concern over the targeting of advocates, noting that Mbobu’s murder emphasizes the urgent need for better protection of those in the legal profession.
“The legal profession mourns a distinguished member of dedicated service and demonstrable legal excellence,” the Society said.
Mbobu, a High Court advocate with over 30 years of experience, was shot dead in a drive-by attack on the evening of September 9, 2025, in Karen, Nairobi. The assailant escaped the scene on a motorcycle. LSK conveyed heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Beyond his practice, Mbobu served as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, shaping future generations of lawyers, and contributed significantly to legal scholarship, particularly in the law of evidence.
He also held the position of Chairman of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal.
“Through his expansive practice and devout service, Mr Mbobu made instrumental contributions to the legal and governance space in Kenya. His service to the country leaves an indelible mark on his legacy,” Odhiambo added.
The Society raised alarms about the broader security threats facing advocates. Odhiambo warned that acts of violence, intimidation, and retribution against High Court advocates undermine the administration of justice. She cautioned that the attack on Mbobu appears to have all the markings of a premeditated assassination. “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 that they do. 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,” she said.
Odhiambo urged the DCI to conduct an “all-hands-on-deck investigation to identify, locate, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of this crime.” She emphasized the need for the investigative agencies to act with the same urgency and professionalism they have shown in past cases. “Anything else will be an indictment of the capacity of our security organs to discharge their mandate, and add to the growing frustration and scepticism on the state of security in the country,” she added.
Highlighting the broader impact of crime on the nation, Odhiambo warned that rising insecurity threatens the liberties and legal order that underpin Kenya’s democracy. “The free reign of crime in our streets and communities is an affront to the liberties and the lawfulness that makes Kenya a Constitutional Democracy. Our security agencies have an immediate duty to act decisively in putting an end to this growing menace. Such calamitous levels of insecurity place our country at the precipice of lawlessness, a state we all bear a Constitutional duty to protect our country from,” she said.
In honouring Mbobu’s legacy, the Society reiterated that justice must be served and called on authorities to ensure that legal practitioners can perform their duties without fear of persecution.
