The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has approached the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court, seeking permission to hold four suspects for an additional 30 days while they finalize their inquiries into the murder of Nairobi attorney Mathew Kyalo Mbobu.
The DCI asserts that this extension is crucial for pursuing remaining investigative leads, conducting further searches and forensic evaluations, tracing additional suspects, and ultimately preparing the case file for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to decide on potential charges.
The individuals in question are Julias Cheruiyot, Nicholas Naula Lemiso, Noah Kipkurui Langat, and Kennedy Kipkemei.
As detailed in the DCI's court application, these four were apprehended on August 24, 2026, during an operation guided by intelligence and have since been held in lawful custody awaiting the court's directive.
They are believed to have played various roles in the circumstances leading to Mbobu’s tragic shooting on September 9, 2025.
DCI claims police officer fired the deadly shots
Preliminary findings indicate that Cheruiyot, a police officer assigned to Pangani Police Station, is suspected of being the shooter.
Authorities recovered a Ceska CZ 85B pistol with the serial number KEKP F5508, which underwent ballistic testing.
The DCI reports that the examination linked cartridge cases and a bullet head found at the scene to this firearm, confirming it was registered to Cheruiyot. These allegations have yet to be substantiated in a court of law.
Roles in transport, tracking, and planning outlined
The DCI alleges that Lemiso was responsible for transporting Cheruiyot to the crime scene on a motorcycle.
Langat is accused of following Mbobu’s Toyota Land Cruiser, registration KCA 177W, from his office prior to the shooting.
Kipkemei is alleged to have been involved in planning the attack and met with Cheruiyot and Langat alongside a financier identified as Rose Mbithe.
Authorities note that additional suspects remain unaccounted for, and several investigative leads are still under pursuit.
Mbobu shot near Brookhouse School
On September 9, 2025, around 6 pm, Mbobu, who practiced law at Kyalo and Associates, was shot near Brookhouse International School while driving his white Toyota Land Cruiser.
Witnesses reported the incident to the police before it was officially documented at Lang’ata Police Station.
DCI officers, along with crime scene investigators, processed the area, after which the Homicide Investigations Bureau took over the case.
A search of Mbobu’s vehicle uncovered one spent cartridge, three bullet fragments, two bullet heads, and additional pieces sent for ballistic examination.
A post-mortem conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor revealed that Mbobu succumbed to multiple injuries from gunshot wounds, with eight bullets identified in his upper body and neck.
Detectives also reconstructed Mbobu’s movements on the day of his death using CCTV footage and call data records.
Land dispute as a potential motive
Investigators are considering a land dispute as a possible motive for the murder.
According to an affidavit from Homicide Investigations Bureau officer Inspector Patrick Wachira, Mbobu had been representing the family of Professor David Musyimi Ndetei in a property case in Machakos court.
The DCI believes this dispute “might be one of the motives” behind the murder.
While some alleged accomplices remain at large, others are being detained in separate proceedings.
DCI raises concerns over witness interference and flight risks
The DCI has indicated that several items recovered during the arrests, including a firearm, mobile phones, and two motorcycles, are still under investigation.
Authorities argue that releasing the four suspects at this juncture could lead to witness tampering, collusion with other suspects, or the destruction of evidence.
Moreover, the DCI mentions that some individuals being pursued are senior police officers, raising concerns about the suspects’ safety due to the public scrutiny surrounding the case.
