A Nairobi court has approved a request from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to detain four suspects for an additional 15 days in connection with the murder of lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu. The ruling came from Chief Magistrate Gethi Kibiru, who agreed that the extra time is necessary for the DCI to gather further evidence.
The suspects—Julias Cheruiyot, Nicholas Naula Lemiso, Noah Kipkurui Langat, and Kennedy Kipkemei—were apprehended on September 24, 2026, during an operation that investigators described as intelligence-led.
Initially, the DCI sought a 30-day extension, citing the need for more time to complete forensic examinations, conduct additional searches, analyze digital evidence, and trace other individuals who may be involved.
Authorities have connected the suspects to various elements of the incident that led to Mbobu's shooting on September 9, 2025. According to a court affidavit, police officer Cheruiyot is alleged to have been the shooter, with a CZ 85B Ceska pistol, serial number KEKP F5508, recovered during the investigation and subjected to ballistic testing.
Ballistic analysis has reportedly linked cartridge cases and a bullet found at the crime scene to the firearm issued to Cheruiyot. Lemiso is accused of providing transportation, allegedly using a motorcycle to assist Cheruiyot in reaching the shooting location.
Langat is said to have tracked Mbobu’s movements, reportedly following the lawyer’s vehicle from his office prior to the incident. Kipkemei is alleged to have been involved in planning the attack, having held meetings with Cheruiyot, Langat, and a person identified as a potential financier.
On the evening of September 9, 2025, Mbobu was shot while driving his white Toyota Land Cruiser, registration KCA 177W, near Brookhouse International School in Nairobi. The incident was reported to the police by members of the public and recorded at Langata Police Station under OB number 29/09/09/2025. DCI detectives, along with scenes of crime officers, arrived at the scene before the Homicide Investigations Bureau took over the case.
Investigators recovered several exhibits from Mbobu's vehicle, including a spent cartridge, bullet fragments, and bullet heads, which were sent for ballistic examination under laboratory reference number 506/2025. The DCI is also reviewing CCTV footage and call data records to trace Mbobu’s movements leading up to the shooting and to reconstruct the events surrounding his death.
A property dispute has surfaced as a possible motive, with Inspector Patrick Wachira of the Homicide Investigations Bureau informing the court that Mbobu was representing the family of Professor David Musyimi Ndetei in a land dispute at the Machakos Environment and Land Court.
Ongoing investigations are expected to uncover more suspects, and the DCI has indicated that some exhibits collected during the operation, including mobile phones, motorcycles, and a firearm, require further analysis. Additional searches at locations linked to the suspects are also planned.
Investigators expressed concerns that releasing the suspects at this stage could jeopardize the investigation by allowing for witness tampering, coordination among suspects still at large, or the potential destruction of evidence.
Furthermore, the DCI highlighted safety concerns for the suspects due to the public attention surrounding the case, which has made their identities known to the public and to Mbobu's family. The suspects will remain in custody for the 15 days granted by the court, during which detectives will work to follow up on outstanding leads and finalize the investigation file.
The case is scheduled for mention on October 9 of this year.
