DCI: Kyalo Mbobu Murder Police Officer Arrested After Year-Long Probe

• Police Constable Julius Cheruiyot has been arrested by the DCI as the suspected gunman in the September 9, 2025 murder of lawyer Kyalo Mbobu.
• Ballistic tests confirmed a Ceska pistol issued to Cheruiyot matched the weapon used in Mbobu's killing.
• Investigations link Mbobu's murder to the July 29, 2026 killing of Dr. Victoria Mutiso, with a property dispute involving the late Professor David Ndetei as a potential motive.
• Rose Mbithe, who was previously married to Ndetei, is set to face a murder charge in Mutiso's case, with Inspector Kenneth Sang allegedly coordinating the killing.
• Several others, including Mbithe's children (advocates Chris and Angela Mulwa) and police constables, have been arrested in connection with Mutiso's murder, with some facing charges or deportation from Uganda.

This case exemplifies the intricate challenges inherent in high-profile murder investigations, particularly when they involve law enforcement personnel and potential links to property disputes.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced the arrest of a police officer in connection with the murder of prominent lawyer Kyalo Mbobu. Police Constable Julius Cheruiyot was taken into custody following a comprehensive year-long investigation into the Kyalo Mbobu murder, with authorities identifying him as the suspected gunman. This significant development marks a critical step in the Kyalo Mbobu killing investigation progress, which has been closely watched by the legal community and the public.

Investigators recovered a Ceska pistol that had been issued to Cheruiyot. DCI boss Amin confirmed that DCI ballistic tests on the recovered Ceska pistol conclusively matched it to the weapon used in Mbobu's fatal shooting. The lawyer was tragically shot dead by two assailants riding a motorcycle on September 9, 2025, while he was driving to his Karen residence along Magadi Road.

Further DCI investigations have revealed a complex web of connections, linking Mbobu's killing to another high-profile murder: that of Dr. Victoria Mutiso. Dr. Mutiso was killed on July 29, 2026, in Upper Hill. According to DCI findings, Inspector Kenneth Sang, who remains at large, allegedly coordinated Dr. Mutiso's murder with Rose Mbithe, who is now facing a murder charge in that case.

Authorities are actively probing a potential property dispute as a central motive connecting these two tragic events. The dispute reportedly involves the late Professor David Ndetei, who was previously married to Rose Mbithe before subsequently marrying Dr. Victoria Mutiso. Notably, Kyalo Mbobu had represented Professor Ndetei during his divorce proceedings, suggesting a direct link between the lawyer's professional activities and the unfolding criminal conspiracy.

The investigation into Dr. Mutiso's killing has led to several arrests, including Rose Mbithe and her children, advocates Chris and Angela Mulwa. Also apprehended were Police Constables Elijah Kimoi and Collins Kiplagat Bett. The legal process for some of the accused has already begun, with Mbithe and Mulwa declining to enter their pleas virtually from Lang'ata Women's Prison; they are scheduled for a physical plea hearing on September 29.

In a separate but related development, Police Constable Collins Kiplagat Bett and two other suspects were initially arrested and charged in Uganda for illegal entry. Following their conviction and subsequent deportation, they were handed over to Kenyan authorities to face charges related to the ongoing murder investigations. The interconnected nature of these cases underscores the DCI's extensive efforts to bring all perpetrators to justice.

This case exemplifies the intricate challenges inherent in high-profile murder investigations, particularly when they involve law enforcement personnel and potential links to property disputes. The DCI's ability to conduct a year-long, multi-faceted investigation, culminating in the Julius Cheruiyot DCI arrest and the identification of a broader conspiracy, highlights the agency's sophisticated investigative capabilities.

The interconnected proceedings, spanning multiple victims and involving various suspects, including legal professionals and police officers, present a critical example for criminal defense lawyers. It demonstrates how seemingly disparate criminal acts can converge into a single, complex narrative, demanding meticulous legal strategy and a deep understanding of interconnected legal proceedings that may impact multiple clients.

This case provides a critical example for criminal defense lawyers of complex, high-profile murder investigations in Kenya, particularly those involving law enforcement personnel and potential links to property disputes. It highlights the DCI's investigative capabilities and the potential for interconnected criminal proceedings that may impact multiple clients.

Source: Original reporting via The Standard