The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has expressed profound grief and concem following the brutal murder of Kyalo Mbobu, a reputable Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a three decades of practice.

Mbobu was shot dead on Tuesday, September 9 by an unknown assailant(s) who executed a drive-by shooting before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.

“This most unfortunate occurrence marks a sad day for the legal profession and for the entire country. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Mbobu,” LSK President Faith Odhiambo says in a statement.

According to LSK, the legal profession is mourning a distinguished member of dedicated service who demonstrated legal excellence. Mbobu, LSK notes, has made instrumental contributions to the legal and governance space in Kenya.

“We fondly honour Mr. Mbobu for his efforts in molding future generations of legal practitioners as a Lecturer at the University of Nairobi. We applaud the scholarly contributions he left us with through his texts which will continue to guide us in our practice especially in the law of evidence. His service to country through his tenure as the Chairman of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal leaves an indelible mark to his legacy. May his soul rest in peace.”

Odhiambo says that the legal profession is worried as a result of the murder incident, wary of the safety for advocates.

“While we await preliminary reports on the identity of the perpetrator and the motive, we are apprehensive that this has all markings of a pre-determined assassination,” Odhiambo posits. “Too often, Advocates have been victimized 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 represents a damning test to the administration of Justice.”

The Society now rues that for the effective discharge of the constitutional functions of advocates, one requires an environment that facilitates autonomy to work without fear of persecution. “We decry this detestable act, and demand that the perpetrators be hunted down and brought to book.”

Consequently, the LSK is now calling upon the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to commence immediate and thorough investigations to identify, locate, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of the crime.

And drawing lessons from the assassination of Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were where the suspected perpetrators were quickly and meticulously hunted down and arrested by authorities, LSK hopes that the same urgency and professionalism will be applied in Mbobu’s investigations.

“Anything else will be an indictment to the capacity of our Security Organs to discharge their mandate, and add to the growing frustration and skepticism on the state of security in the country.”

Mbobu was shot dead at around 7:30 pm on Tuesday, September 9 in Nairobi’s Karen area. The assailant(s) opened fire at him while he was stuck in traffic.

Police say the gunmen shattered his vehicle’s windshield first before shooting him at least three times on the chin.

Mbobu previously served as the Chairperson of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal in the run-up to the 2022 General Election.

An accomplished academic, he was a lecturer at the University of Nairobi (UoN) School of Law and the Kenya School of Law (KSL).

He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) with Honours and a Master of Laws (LL.M) from Georgetown University, complemented by his status as a Certified Public Secretary of Kenya (CPS-K) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb, London, Kenya Branch).