Lawyers march for justice following murder of advocate Kyalo Mbobu

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The legal fraternity staged a Purple Ribbon March on Friday to honour the late advocate Mathew Kyalo Mbobu and to protest against a rising culture of violence and intimidation.

The procession, led by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Ms Faith Odhiambo and the council, was both solemn and powerful.

It reflected the legal community’s collective outrage while demanding justice for a colleague killed in the line of duty.

Mr Mbobu’s death has shaken the profession. Many advocates describe it as a chilling reminder that those who serve with honesty and dedication are increasingly vulnerable.

Wiper Party leader Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, who joined fellow lawyers, said the killing should be treated as an attack on every professional who defends the rule of law.

“The tragic loss of Kyalo is not just an attack on advocates, it is an attack on every professional in this country who serves with honesty and dedication. We cannot allow this regime to pick off professionals one by one as we stand by in silence. We are saying ‘Enough is Enough!’” he said.

The Purple Ribbon March began at the Milimani Law Courts, a symbolic starting point chosen to reflect the late advocate’s lifelong service to justice. 

From there, participants moved with purpose along Kenyatta Avenue, one of Nairobi’s busiest streets, ensuring their message reached widely.

Lawyers, civil society leaders, and state officers walked side by side. They carried ribbons, placards, and banners calling for an end to violence against professionals.

A particularly poignant moment came when the procession made a solemn stop at Town House, where Mr Mbobu’s office is located. 

Members paused in silence, reflecting on a career dedicated to the rule of law and the fight for justice.

The march then proceeded to Vigilance House, headquarters of the National Police Service. Here, LSK officials presented a formal petition to the Inspector General. 

The petition outlined the legal fraternity’s grievances and called for urgent action to ensure accountability.

The turnout at the march underlined the gravity of the situation. Senior counsels, political leaders, and members of the public joined in to show support.

Among those present were Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Mr Eugene Wamalwa, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairperson Mr Isaac Hassan, Senior Counsel Bar chairperson Mr Philip Murgor, Senior Counsels Ahmednassir Abdullahi and Pravin Bowry, and Judicial Service Commission commissioner Mr Omwanza Ombati. Civil society representatives also attended in solidarity.

The diversity of participants was striking. It demonstrated that outrage over Mr Mbobu’s killing is not confined to the legal fraternity but resonates across different sections of society.

Mr Mbobu was shot dead on Tuesday evening along Magadi Road in Nairobi.

Gunmen on a motorbike attacked him and fled after the shooting. 

According to a post-mortem examination, he was shot eight times, most bullets entering from his right side. Two bullets were recovered; one was lodged in his spine.

Fatal injuries to his neck and spine caused massive internal bleeding, which led to his death.