Four suspects linked to murder of lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu detained for 15 days

Chief Magistrate Gethi Kibiru granted the application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and DCI, allowing the suspects to remain in custody as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) pursues additional leads.

The four, Julias Cheruiyot, Nicholas Naula Lemiso, Noah Kipkurui Langat and Kennedy Kipkemei were arrested on September 24, 2026, following what investigators described as an intelligence-led operation.

The DCI had initially sought permission to hold the suspects for 30 days, arguing that more time was required to complete forensic examinations, conduct searches, analyse digital evidence and trace other people suspected of involvement.

The investigators have linked the four to different aspects of the alleged operation that culminated in Mbobu's shooting on September 9, 2025.

According to an affidavit filed in court, Cheruiyot, a police officer attached to Pangani Police Station, is alleged to have been the gunman. Detectives say a CZ 85B Ceska pistol, serial number KEKP F5508, was recovered during the investigations and subjected to ballistic examination.

The DCI further alleges that cartridge cases and a bullet recovered during the investigation were linked through ballistic analysis to the firearm. Investigators say the weapon had been issued to Cheruiyot.

Lemiso is alleged to have provided transport, with detectives claiming he used a motorcycle to take Cheruiyot to the area where the shooting occurred.

Langat is accused of monitoring Mbobu's movements. The investigators allege that he followed the lawyer's vehicle from his office before the shooting.

Kipkemei, meanwhile, is alleged to have been involved in planning the attack. According to the DCI, he held meetings with Cheruiyot, Langat and a person investigators have identified as an alleged financier.

Mbobu was shot at around 6pm on September 9, 2025, while driving his white Toyota Land Cruiser, registration KCA 177W, near Brookhouse International School in Nairobi.

Police were alerted by members of the public, with the incident recorded at Langata Police Station under OB number 29/09/09/2025. DCI detectives and scenes of crime officers visited the location before the Homicide Investigations Bureau took charge of the case.

Investigators say several exhibits were recovered from the vehicle, including a spent cartridge, bullet fragments and bullet heads. The items were forwarded for ballistic examination under laboratory reference number 506/2025.

The DCI has also been analysing CCTV footage and call-data records in an effort to establish Mbobu's movements before the shooting and reconstruct events surrounding his death.

A property dispute has emerged as one of the possible lines of inquiry. Inspector Patrick Wachira of the Homicide Investigations Bureau told the court that Mbobu had been representing the family of Professor David Musyimi Ndetei in a land dispute before the Machakos Environment and Land Court.

Detectives said their investigations are still ongoing and that they have not yet arrested other people suspected of involvement.

The DCI also told the court that some exhibits recovered during the operation, including mobile phones, motorcycles and a firearm, require further analysis. Additional searches are also planned at locations associated with the suspects.

Investigators had argued that releasing the four at this stage could compromise the inquiry by exposing witnesses to possible interference, allowing suspects still at large to coordinate or creating an opportunity for evidence to be concealed or destroyed.

The DCI also raised concerns about the safety of the suspects, citing the publicity surrounding the case and the fact that their identities are now known to members of the public and Mbobu's family.

The suspects will remain in custody for the 15 days granted by the court, during which detectives are expected to pursue outstanding leads and complete the investigation file.

The matter will be mentioned on 9th October this year