Police IG fails to give timelines in lawyer Mbobu’s murder investigation

By Newsflash Repoter

NAIROBI, Kenya – Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has declined to provide specific timelines for the investigation into the murder of prominent lawyer Kyalo Mbobu, emphasizing that detectives require adequate time to conduct a thorough probe. The police chief’s comments come amid growing public pressure for answers in the high-profile assassination that occurred last week.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s Monday Report program, Kanja revealed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has assembled a specialized team with “all necessary capabilities” to unravel the murder but cautioned against rushing the investigative process. The case involves the drive-by shooting of Mbobu, a former chair of the Political Parties’ Dispute Tribunal, who was shot eight times by unidentified gunmen along Magadi Road in Nairobi’s Karen area.

Investigation Challenges

When pressed to provide estimated timelines for the investigation’s completion, Kanja maintained that it was premature to make commitments. “At this stage, I cannot give timelines, but as I have said, he (DCI boss Mohamed Amin) is under instructions to move with speed and settle that issue and bring to book those who committed that heinous crime,” the police chief stated.

The investigation faces significant challenges, including the absence of CCTV coverage along Magadi Road where the attack occurred. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has previously cited this infrastructure gap as a major obstacle in apprehending suspects. Three individuals initially held as persons of interest were released on Saturday night, though authorities indicate they have gathered valuable leads from people close to the late lawyer.

Legal Pressure Mounts

Despite the IG’s reluctance to provide timelines, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has set a Thursday deadline for receiving the investigation report. In a statement issued last Thursday, the DPP’s office noted: “While welcoming the Director of Criminal Investigations’ commitment to securing justice, the DPP has called for an expedited investigation to ensure all critical evidence is identified, collected, and preserved in strict accordance with the law.”

The legal pressure underscores the high-stakes nature of the case and the public demand for accountability in the murder of a prominent legal professional.

Pattern of Motorbike Assassinations

Mbobu’s murder represents the latest in a disturbing pattern of attacks involving gunmen on motorcycles targeting high-profile individuals in public spaces. The method mirrors the April 30 assassination of Kasipul MP Charles Were, who was shot dead during evening traffic at the City Mortuary roundabout on Ngong Road. In that incident, a gunman alighted from a motorcycle at a traffic light, opened fire at close range, and fled with an accomplice riding the bike.

These coordinated attacks have raised serious concerns about public safety and the ability of criminal elements to operate with impunity in urban areas. The similarities between the cases suggest possible connections or the emergence of a worrying trend in targeted assassinations.

Accountability Promise

IG Kanja assured the public that accountability would follow once suspects are identified and apprehended. “Once we lay our hands on the criminals, we can then be able to give timelines,” he stated, emphasizing the progressive nature of criminal investigations that depend on evidence collection and analysis.

The police chief’s comments reflect the delicate balance between public demand for quick resolutions and the methodological requirements of thorough criminal investigations, particularly in complex cases involving professional assassinations.

As the investigation continues, the public and legal community await developments in a case that has highlighted ongoing security challenges and the vulnerability of public figures to targeted violence.