Five charged with murder of lawyer Kyalo Mbobu

Five suspects, including Rose Mbithe, her two children and two police officers, have finally been charged with the murder of city lawyer Matthew Kyalo Mbobu 13 months after his killing.

Mbithe, Chris Mulwa, Angela Mulwa and police constables Julius Kipkoech Cheruiyot and Kennedy Kipkeboi Borboroi appeared before High Court Judge Diana Kavedza at Kibera Law Courts, where they denied murdering Mbobu on September 9, 2025.

The prosecution alleges that Mbobu was murdered at about 5:30 pm along Magadi Road, near Brookhouse International School in Karen, Nairobi County.

"A plea of not guilty is entered against all accused persons," Justice Kavedza said

The five pleaded to the murder charge after mental assessment reports from Mbagathi Hospital confirmed they are fit to stand trial.

Prosecutors Jalson Makori and Gikui Gichuhi informed the court that Inspector Kenneth Sang, who is suspected of involvement in the killing, would be charged jointly with the five accused.

Makori told the court that Sang had been on the run since the killings of Mbobu and Dr Victoria Mutiso in Nairobi.

The court heard that Sang is currently undergoing processing and further interrogation, where additional evidence relating to the murders had emerged.

The prosecution also indicated that it would oppose the release of all five accused persons on bond pending trial.

However, defence lawyers Joel Mbaluka and Black Omanga told the court that they were ready to make oral applications for bail.

The judge overruled the bid to hear the oral bail application from the defence lawyers.

The proceedings became tense after the prosecution sought the court's permission to file an affidavit outlining its reasons for opposing the accused persons' release on bond.

The defence lawyers objected to the request, arguing that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had been given sufficient time to prepare the necessary documents.

Omanga told the court that the prosecution's request was illegal, improper and unconstitutional, arguing that it infringed on the accused persons' right to bail.

"I feel a bit offended that the DPP is making the application to be allowed more time to put in an affidavit opposing bail now," Omanga said.

The lawyers became agitated as they challenged the prosecution's request, prompting Justice Kavedza to intervene and direct them to leave the courtroom to calm down.

"Omanga, please stop being emotional. Please go out, all of you, and cool down. Just the moods. Please remember the ethics of addressing the court," Justice Kavedza ordered.

After about 10 minutes, the judge recalled the lawyers and the prosecution team to continue with the proceedings.

The judge directed the prosecution to file an affidavit by Sergeant Joseph Omwenga within three days, followed by written submissions within seven days.

Justice Kavedza directed the defence to file formal bail applications and written submissions within 10 days.

She also granted probation officers three weeks to interview the accused persons and the victims' families and prepare pre-bail reports.

Justice Kavedza cautioned the defence lawyers against creating anxiety among the accused persons over their release on bond, reminding them that the court would determine the applications in accordance with the law.

"These accused persons are just like any other remandees who are waiting for their matters to be determined. Justice is blind and slow in Kenya," Justice Kavedza said.

She urged the accused persons to remain patient as the court considered their bail applications.

"Let your clients be patient as all remandees are equal before the law, as we have other high-profile murders against Sarah Wairimu Cohen, the late MP Ong'ondo Were, former OCS Central Samson Talaam and the infamous Kolombote charged with murdering patients at KNH who are still in custody," the judge said.

The case was scheduled for a virtual mention on November 19, 2026, to confirm compliance with the filing of pleadings and the pre-bail reports.

The bail hearing was fixed for November 24, 2026.