Five suspects, including a woman, her two children and two police officers, have been charged with the murder of Nairobi lawyer Matthew Kyalo Mbobu. The accused appeared before the High Court in Kibera on Tuesday, where they denied charges linked to the killing of the prominent lawyer, who was shot dead on September 29, 2025. Those charged are Rose Mbithe Mulwa, her children Chris Mulwa and Angela Mulwa, alongside police constables Julius Kipkoech Cheruiyot and Kennedy Kipkemei.
According to the charge sheet, the five are accused of jointly murdering Mbobu at approximately 5:30 pm along Magadi Road, near Brookhouse International School in Karen, within Lang’ata Sub-County, Nairobi. The prosecution alleges that the offence was committed jointly with another person who was not before the court at the time of the proceedings.
Court Proceedings and Legal Representation
The court initially considered postponing the plea-taking after concerns emerged that some of the accused might not have legal representation. However, the court was informed that the suspects were represented by lawyers, allowing the proceedings to proceed and the murder charges to be formally read to them. Following the plea-taking, defence lawyer Joel Mbaluka informed the court that Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her two children intended to make an oral application seeking release on bail.
However, Justice Diana Kavedza declined to hear the oral submissions at that stage, citing another scheduled hearing in the murder case involving multimedia student Sylvia Kemunto, where five witnesses were expected to testify. As a result, the bail request was not determined during the proceedings.
Prosecution Seeks More Time to Oppose Bail
Prosecution counsel Jalson Makori told the court that the State was preparing an affidavit opposing the accused persons’ release on bail. Makori explained that although the prosecution had prepared the affidavit, it had not yet been filed because the State intended to incorporate additional information before submitting its response.
The prosecution consequently asked the court to defer consideration of the bail application to allow it to finalise its position. The defence’s request for bail therefore remained pending, with the State expected to formally present its objections through the planned affidavit.
Additional Suspect Arrested
During the proceedings, the prosecution also informed the court that another suspect, identified as Inspector Kennedy Sang, had been at large before being arrested over the weekend. Makori told the court that the State intended to charge Sang alongside the other accused persons. His arrest could lead to further court proceedings as investigators and prosecutors continue pursuing the case surrounding Mbobu’s killing. The prosecution’s request for additional time was linked to its preparations concerning the bail question and the intended handling of the additional suspect.
Background to Matthew Kyalo Mbobu’s Murder Case
Mbobu was killed on September 29, 2025, in an incident that prompted investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death. The case has drawn attention because the suspects charged include serving police officers alongside members of the same family.
The five accused persons have denied the murder charges, and the allegations against them remain subject to determination by the court. The outstanding bail application and the prosecution’s intended action regarding Inspector Kennedy Sang are expected to feature in subsequent proceedings as the case continues through the judicial process.
