The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested a police officer suspected of being the gunman in the murder of prominent lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, DCI said Police Constable Julius Cheruiyot was arrested following an investigation into the fatal shooting of Mbobu.
Kyalo Mbobu was killed on September 9, 2025, along Magadi Road in Nairobi.
The DCI said detectives also recovered the Ceska pistol that had been issued to Cheruiyot at the time of the incident.
DCI Links Police Constable to Murder of City Lawyer Kyalo Mbobu
Ballistic examination has since linked the firearm to the shooting that killed the lawyer, giving detectives a major forensic breakthrough in the case.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has made a breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of prominent lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu. Following an intensive and painstaking investigation over the past year, detectives have identified and arrested Police Constable Julius Cheruiyot, suspected of being the gunman who fatally shot the lawyer,” the DCI said.
“Ballistic examination has since confirmed that the firearm was indeed used in the shooting that claimed the life of Lawyer Mbobu. The finding provides a significant forensic breakthrough in the investigation. Further, it strengthens the evidentiary trail being assembled by detectives.”
The agency said the finding had strengthened the evidentiary trail being assembled by detectives as investigations into the killing continue.
Cheruiyot remains in police custody as detectives process the case ahead of his arraignment in court.
Also Read: Autopsy Reveals Details of City Lawyer Kyalo Mbobu’s Death
Inspector Allegedly Coordinated Operation
The DCI said investigations had also identified Inspector Kenneth Sang as another person allegedly involved in the operation.
Sang is currently at large, according to the police agency.
Detectives allege that Sang coordinated the operation in liaison with Rose Mbithe, who is already in police custody in connection with the murder of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso.
Mutiso was fatally shot on July 29, 2026, in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
The DCI said the link between the two investigations formed part of the ongoing effort to establish the circumstances surrounding Mbobu’s killing.
How Lawyer Mbobu Was Killed
Mbobu was shot while driving home from work along Magadi Road, Nairobi.
The respected lawyer and former head of a political party’s dispute tribunal was driving home on Tuesday, September 9 evening, when a gunman on a motorcycle pulled alongside his vehicle and opened fire. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots.
The shooting happened near the Lang’ata-Magadi road junction, next to a busy shopping centre in the affluent Karen estate, about 10km (six miles) from the city centre.
A gruesome video shared online shows a car’s shattered window with the bloodied, lifeless body of the lawyer slouched over the steering wheel.
DCI said specialized teams from its Homicide Directorate worked with forensic experts to reconstruct the events surrounding the killing.
“Today’s breakthrough represents a significant development in the investigation,” the agency said.
The investigation has been ongoing for the past year as detectives pursued leads into the targeted attack.
Also Read: Death of Kyalo Mbobu – Assassin or a Hitman? Ex-Military Officer Explains
DCI Pursues More Suspects
The arrest of Cheruiyot and recovery of the firearm have not brought the investigation to an end.
DCI said detectives were pursuing additional leads to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder, including the motive, planning and execution of the attack.
“The DCI remains committed to pursuing all persons suspected to have participated in the murder, regardless of their position or affiliation,” the agency said.
It also extended condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Mbobu and Mutiso.
The Directorate said it recognized the pain suffered by their families and assured them that detectives would continue working to identify and apprehend those responsible.
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