Lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu/FILEA senior official was taken into custody on Thursday as part of investigations into the murder of lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu.
Police have, in the preliminary stages, linked the killing to an unresolved financial matter.
Authorities said the role of the official in the incident is not yet clear. He is one of six people currently being questioned as part of the investigation.
A substantial amount of money was recovered from the homes of those detained. Teams investigating the case brought in money-counting machines to assist in the process.
The operation was conducted in Nairobi, where part of the investigative team is based. Some of those in custody told police they were friends of the late Mbobu.
“They are in custody as part of the inquiry and have described themselves as friends of the deceased,” said an official familiar with the case.
The firearm used and other perpetrators involved are yet to be identified, police said. Some of those in custody had met Mbobu at a restaurant on Tuesday afternoon, hours before his death.
Investigators are seeking additional people they consider relevant to the case to clarify the nature of the meeting with Mbobu along Jakaya Kikwete Road.
Sources claim some of those involved were clients of the lawyer. Several clients have recorded statements regarding their engagements with him.
Mbobu was shot multiple times at close range, killing him instantly. He was driving along Magadi Road in Nairobi when a gunman on a motorcycle intercepted him.
The attacker shot him in the neck and chest, causing fatal injuries. The gunman and rider then fled, reportedly firing shots into the air.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mulele Ingong, on Thursday instructed the Inspector General of Police to fast-track investigations and submit a comprehensive status update within seven days.
He expressed condolences to the family and the legal community and appealed to members of the public with relevant information to come forward. He reaffirmed the office’s commitment to upholding the law and protecting the security and dignity of all citizens.
Mbobu’s killing on September 9, 2025, along Magadi Road is being thoroughly investigated.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the killing, noting that some individuals of interest had been identified and statements taken.
Speaking in Migori County during a security forum, Murkomen described the killing as a tragic event. He said he was in consultation with investigators and urged members of the public to share any information that could aid the probe.#
He commended eyewitnesses who came forward and emphasised that the investigation will be conducted without favouritism and in the interest of justice for all citizens.
