LSK to stage purple ribbon march after lawyer Mbobu killing

By Newsflash Repoter

https://uzalendonews.co.ke/lsk-to-hold-protests-after-lawyer-mbobus-killing/The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has announced that it will lead a nationwide purple ribbon march on Friday, September 12, to protest the killing of prominent lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu. The senior advocate, with more than 30 years of legal practice, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting near Galleria Mall, Karen, on the evening of September 9.

According to police reports, assailants on a motorbike trailed the advocate’s car before firing at close range, fatally wounding him. The attackers then fled the scene, leaving behind a cloud of speculation about the motive.

In a statement, LSK President Faith Odhiambo said the protest will begin at 9:00 a.m. from Milimani Law Courts, proceed through Kenyatta Avenue, and end at Vigilance House. There, representatives will present a memorandum of grievances to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, demanding swift justice and better protection for legal practitioners.

“Members are encouraged to attend and wear the purple ribbon in honour and solidarity. This march is not only for Mbobu but for the entire profession, which continues to face threats and intimidation,” Odhiambo said.

Legal fraternity calls for urgent justice

The killing of Mbobu, who once chaired the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal and lectured law at the University of Nairobi, has sparked outrage within the legal fraternity.

Odhiambo described the attack as part of a worrying trend of targeted violence against advocates. “Our security agencies must act decisively. Too often, lawyers have been attacked for doing their work. This growing menace is a damning test for the administration of justice in Kenya,” she said.

The Senior Counsel Bar (SCB), led by Philip Murgor, also condemned the murder, describing it as the work of a professional assassin. He linked the timing of the attack to a social media post by retired Captain Kung’u Muigai, who referenced a decades-old land dispute involving Mbobu on the same day of the shooting.

“Is it a coincidence he is gunned down the same day? Whatever the case, no stone should be left unturned in finding those behind this heinous crime,” Murgor said.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has promised a comprehensive probe. “Our investigators are working diligently, employing all available resources to establish the motive and arrest the perpetrators,” the agency said in a statement.

National outcry over safety of advocates

Chief Justice Martha Koome joined in condemning the attack, describing Mbobu as a distinguished jurist and mentor. “This brutal murder is not only a tragedy for his family but also a grievous assault on the values of justice, democracy and the rule of law,” she said.

LSK said the march will serve as a collective call to action, demanding stronger protection for lawyers who continue to face harassment, intimidation, and attacks. Advocates from all eight LSK branches are expected to participate, making it one of the largest demonstrations by the profession in recent years.

Mbobu’s colleagues and students remembered him as a mentor who shaped generations of lawyers and advanced Kenya’s legal scholarship. His assassination has reignited debates over judicial corruption, unresolved land disputes, and systemic failures in protecting officers of the court.

The Purple Ribbon March is now being framed not only as a tribute to Mbobu but also as a symbolic stand for justice, security and the rule of law. For many in the legal community, it represents a moment to demand accountability in a country where impunity has often overshadowed justice.