DCI Announces Breakthrough in Investigation Into Lawyer Kyalo Mbobu's Fatal Shooting

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced a major breakthrough in the investigation into the fatal shooting of prominent lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu.

Mbobu was killed on September 9, 2025, while driving home from work along Magadi Road in Nairobi in what investigators described as a targeted attack.

In a statement on Thursday, September 24, the DCI said detectives had conducted an intensive investigation over the past year, leading to the identification and arrest of a police officer suspected of carrying out the shooting.

"Following an intensive and painstaking investigation over the past year, detectives have identified and arrested Police Constable Julius Cheruiyot, suspected of being the gunman who fatally shot the lawyer," the statement read.

According to the DCI, as part of the investigation, detectives recovered the firearm that had been issued to Cheruiyot at the time of the incident.

"As part of the ongoing investigations, detectives today recovered the Ceska pistol that had been issued to the suspect at the time of the incident," the statement added.

The DCI said ballistic tests conducted on the recovered firearm established a connection between the pistol and the shooting that killed Mbobu.

"Ballistic examination has since confirmed that the firearm was indeed used in the shooting that claimed the life of Lawyer Mbobu. The finding provides a significant forensic breakthrough in the investigation and further strengthens the evidentiary trail being assembled by detectives," the statement further read.

Investigators have also linked other individuals to the alleged operation, with the DCI naming an officer who is currently at large and a woman in police custody over the murder of Dr. Victoria Mutiso.

"Detectives have also established that Inspector Kenneth Sang, who is currently at large, allegedly coordinated the operation in liaison with Rose Mbithe, who is already in police custody in connection with the murder of Dr. Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, who was fatally shot on the morning of 29 July 2026 in Upper Hill, Nairobi," the statement noted.

The DCI said specialised teams from its Homicide Directorate had worked alongside forensic experts since the killing to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

"Lawyer Mbobu was shot in a targeted attack while driving home from work along Magadi Road, Nairobi. The DCI immediately commenced investigations, with specialised teams from the Homicide Directorate, working alongside forensic experts, undertaking extensive investigations to reconstruct the events surrounding the killing. Today's breakthrough represents a significant development in the investigation," the statement concluded.

Elsewhere, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved the prosecution of another suspect, Kimutai Maritim, for the murder of Dr. Mutiso.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 23, the DPP told the court that Maritim was arrested at the Pangani Police Station while he attempted to visit other suspects detained in connection with the murder.

The suspect was attempting to deliver a meal, a loaf of bread and a packet of milk, to detainees when police officers raised suspicion about his likely involvement in the murder.

"Maritim was arrested on 22nd August 22 2026, after he allegedly attempted to visit suspects detained at Pangani Police Station.

"Investigators told the court that Maritim was allegedly linked to the planning of the offence and that he could assist in tracing other suspects who remain at large," the statement read in part

The DPP confirmed that Maritim will be charged alongside Rose Mbithe, her daughter Angela Mulwa, her son Chris Mulwa and Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi.

Other suspects who were arrested in Uganda, including Police Constable Collins Bett Kilangat, Pius Muiruri Mbugua and Samuel Karanja Gathoni, have also been detained for 30 days to allow the completion of investigations.