The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved murder charges against five suspects accused of killing prominent lawyer, university lecturer and author Mathew Kyalo Mbolu.
The suspects are politician Rose Mbithe Mulwa, her two children Chris Mulwa and Angela Mulwa, and police constables Julius Kipkoech Cheruiyot and Kennedy Kipkemei Borboroi.
The two police officers appeared before High Court Judge Diana Kavedza at the Kibera Law Courts on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in connection with the murder case. However, they did not take a plea after the court directed that they first undergo a mental assessment.
Justice Kavedza ordered that Cheruiyot and Borboroi be taken to Mbagathi Hospital for the assessment. The court will rely on the resulting report before the suspects formally respond to the murder charges.
The judge also directed that the three other suspects currently in custody be produced in court. Mbithe and Angela Mulwa are being held at Lang’ata Women’s Prison, while Chris Mulwa is being held at the Nairobi Remand and Allocation Prison.
According to the court proceedings, the three are separately facing charges relating to the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso.
The five suspects are expected to take their plea on October 27, 2026, after the court receives the mental assessment report for the two police officers.
Mbolu was allegedly attacked and killed in Nairobi on September 9, 2025. His death attracted attention due to his profile as a lawyer, lecturer and author.
The approval of the murder charges by the DPP marks a significant step in the prosecution of the case.
Under Kenyan law, murder is a serious criminal offence that is tried before the High Court. The prosecution is required to present evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and the alleged involvement of each accused person.
The suspects remain presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty by a court of law.
The October 27 proceedings are expected to provide further direction on the case once the mental assessment report has been presented and the suspects formally take their plea.
