The West Kenya branch of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has protested the killing of senior advocate Mathew Mbobu, describing it as a cold-blooded assassination that threatens the rule of law and undermines access to justice in Kenya.
Speaking in Kisumu on Friday, LSK West Kenya chairperson Grace Otieno said the legal fraternity was in shock and mourning after the murder of their colleague, whom she described as a defender of justice.
“This was not just a murder, it was a calculated hit on a man who dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice in this country,” Otieno said.
The brutal killing, she said, was a stark reminder of the dangerous environment in which advocates in the country operate as they carry out the noble duty of legal representation.
She warned that lawyers dealing with sensitive matters such as land disputes, corruption cases and human rights violations often faced harassment, threats, and intimidation, a situation now compounded by Mbobu’s killing.
“The murder of our Senior Counsel Mbobu tells us these threats are not empty. They are real, and they are being carried out with brazen impunity. We shall not be able to deliver justice if we continue to operate in an insecure environment,” she added.
The West Kenya branch demanded a transparent investigation from the National Police Service, swift arrests, and prosecution of the perpetrators.
Furthermore, the lawyers urged Kisumu County security teams, led by the County Commissioner, to adopt proactive policing strategies to restore public confidence.
Council Member Vincent Ginega echoed the concerns, faulting the police for the lack of progress in investigations.
“Three days after the incident, we have not heard of any arrest. We are at a loss as to what exactly the investigating authorities are doing with respect to arraignment and prosecution of those behind this heinous act,” he said.
Ginega linked Mbobu’s killing to a broader pattern of insecurity across the country accusing the law enforcement agencies of laxity.
“We have seen armed gangsters roaming in broad daylight in Nairobi causing mayhem. Kenya is becoming an insecure country. The death of our colleague also reminds us of other colleagues who have died in the line of duty,” he added.
Advocate Dick Osala condemned the killing, saying the state must guarantee the safety of lawyers as they carry out their duties.
“This ought to be the last death of an advocate in such sad circumstances. We call for the safety of all lawyers as they discharge their duties and when they return home to their families,” he said.
He also urged Kenyans to shun violence, warning: “Do not let yourself be used to kill anybody because time will catch up with you.”
The protest in Kisumu was part of a nationwide solidarity action by all eight branches of the LSK, which has vowed not to relent until justice for Mbobu is delivered.
Senior advocate Mathew Mbobu was shot dead on Tuesday evening by unknown gunmen along Magadi road while on his way home in Karen.
Witnesses said assailants riding on a motorcycle accosted him while his car was held up in a traffic jam before opening fire at close range, killing him on the spot.
The motive of the killing remains unclear, but colleagues believe it may be linked to his work on high-stakes cases involving land disputes and corruption.
Police have launched investigations, though no arrests have been made so far.
Mbobu’s death has sparked outrage among lawyers and the wider public, rekindling memories of previous attacks on advocates in Kenya who have been targeted for their work.
