The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kenya has approved murder charges against five individuals suspected of killing lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbolu. The suspects include politician Rose Mbithe Mulwa, her two children, Chris Mulwa and Angela Mulwa, and two police constables, Julius Kipkoech Cheruiyot and Kennedy Kipkemei Borboroi. Mbolu was a renowned advocate, university lecturer, and author who was shot dead in Nairobi in September 2025.
Two of the suspects, police constables Cheruiyot and Borboroi, were arraigned before Justice Diana Kavedza at the High Court in Kibera but did not take a plea pending a mental assessment. The court ordered that both officers undergo a mental assessment at Mbagathi Hospital before proceedings advance. This assessment is a crucial step in the legal process, and the suspects' plea will be taken on October 27, 2025, after the court receives the mental health assessment report.
The suspects are accused of killing Mbolu on September 9, 2025, while he was stuck in a traffic jam in the Karen area of Nairobi. An attacker on a motorcycle opened fire on the driver's side of his vehicle, shattering the window and striking him fatally. The gunman and an accomplice fled on the same motorcycle, leaving a major traffic jam along the route towards Ongata Rongai before police arrived to secure the scene.
Investigations into Mbolu's killing have widened considerably, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arresting Nicholas Lemiso Naula within Nairobi's Central Business District on September 24, 2025. Naula was identified as the motorcycle rider who allegedly ferried Constable Cheruiyot, described as the primary suspect, to and from the scene of the shooting.
The five suspects face additional charges in a separate matter, including the murder of Dr. Victoria Mutiso. Rose Mbithe Mulwa and Angela Mulwa are currently held at Lang'ata Women's Prison, while Chris Mulwa is remanded at Nairobi Remand and Allocation Prison. The suspects' cases are linked, and the investigations are ongoing.
The Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to sanction murder charges against the five suspects demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring justice for Mbolu's family. The case has garnered significant attention, and the public is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial.
The investigation remains active, with the DCI stating that all individuals responsible for Mbolu's death will face justice. The authorities are working to gather evidence and build a strong case against the suspects, and the trial is expected to be a significant test of Kenya's justice system.
Key points
- The suspects are set to take plea on October 27, 2025.
- The investigation into Mbolu's killing remains active.
- The suspects face additional charges in a separate matter.
