Sheria Mtaani, a legal aid and justice advocacy organisation, has formally called on the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to take proactive measures to improve the security of lawyers nationwide.
This follows the killing of Advocate Mathew Kyalo Mbobu, which Sheria Mtaani describes as yet another case of violence against members of the legal profession.
The petition, signed by Sheria Mtaani and filed publicly, states: “The practice of law, though noble in purpose, is fraught with peril.” It adds that “advocates often find themselves exposed to mortal risks not only in contentious litigation but also in non-contentious legal practice.”
The document raises concern about what the organisation calls systemic disparities in security protections. It points out that “advocates applying for firearm certificates are routinely denied despite facing heightened risks in their line of duty.”
Sheria Mtaani further alleges that “where an advocate and a politician seek certification contemporaneously, the outcome is virtually predetermined”, a situation it describes as “indefensible.”
Sheria Mtaani acknowledges that LSK has, in moments of crisis, stood in solidarity with its members. However, the petition emphasises that as a statutory body, the Society is limited in its ability to guarantee physical security without collaboration with state security agencies.
It calls on LSK to initiate engagement with the Ministry of Interior and relevant security organs to establish structured protections for advocates.
Meanwhile, LSK has issued several statements condemning the killing of Mbobu, calling for investigations and action. In one of the earliest responses, LSK President Faith Odhiambo described the incident as having “all the markings of a pre-determined assassination.”
She said: “Too often, Advocates have been victimised and targeted for the work that they do. We decry this detestable act and demand that the perpetrators be hunted down and brought to book.”
Odhiambo has also emphasised constitutional rights in her statements. At the Purple Ribbon March held in Nairobi, she declared:
“Stop killing Kenyans! Justice for all! Accountability to all! We want life!”
She pointed out that the Kenyan Constitution guarantees the right to life under Article 26, dignity under Article 28, and freedom from violence under Article 29, while noting that the right to a fair hearing under Article 50 and access to justice under Article 48 are similarly undermined when legal professionals are killed or threatened.
Another senior LSK official, Grace Otieno, chairing the West Kenya branch, said that Mbobu’s killing is “not merely a personal tragedy but a calculated attack on justice itself.”
She warned that “advocates handling sensitive cases from land disputes and corruption to human rights violations face threats daily.” She urged swift and transparent action from law enforcement agencies.
The background to these calls is also laid out in the LSK’s description of Mbobu’s career. Mbobu had over three decades of practice as an advocate of the High Court, lectured at the University of Nairobi, authored legal texts (including works on the law of evidence), and served as Chairperson of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal.
He was killed on September 9, 2025, while driving home along Magadi Road in Nairobi, after two men on motorcycles opened fire. A postmortem revealed he was shot eight times, causing fatal bleeding.
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