LSK President Charles Kanjama demands probe into Tom Imbukwa’s killing
By Aloys Michael, April 23, 2026The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for urgent investigations into the killing of advocate Tom Ouya Imbukwa, who is reported to have been assaulted, tortured, and murdered by unknown persons.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, LSK President Charles Kanjama said the society received news of the advocate’s death with profound shock and grief, describing it as a tragic loss to the legal fraternity.
According to the LSK, the advocate was subjected to severe assault and torture before being killed, raising serious concerns about the safety of legal practitioners in the country.
“Our colleague was assaulted, tortured, and murdered by unknown persons. The circumstances surrounding Tom’s death demand our unequivocal condemnation and immediate action,” Kanjama wrote on X.
Kanjama called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Police Service (NPS) to carry out swift, thorough, and credible investigations into the incident.
“We appeal to any member of the public with information regarding this incident to share it urgently with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) or directly with the Law Society of Kenya. Your anonymity and safety will be protected,” he appealed.
He warned that if any state actors were involved in the torture and killing, they must be held accountable, adding that there should be no protection for perpetrators regardless of their status.
Kanjama said the society would stand with the deceased’s family, including offering legal support throughout the investigation and any court proceedings that may follow.
“Justice for Tom Ouya Imbukwa is not negotiable,” Kanjama said, warning that lawyers cannot continue to be targeted, tortured, and killed.
Safety of lawyers?
The killing occurred less than a year after the fatal shooting of Nairobi-based lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu, who was said to be targeted and gunned down along Magadi Road in September 2025.
A post-mortem examination later established that Mbobu succumbed to severe injuries and massive blood loss after being shot eight times, according to Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor.
“Most of the shots were coming from the right side. There were injuries to the neck and spine. They were severe enough to cause his death,” Oduor said.
Oduor also noted that forensic experts retrieved two bullets from the body, even as investigators had earlier reported that several spent cartridges were missing from the victim’s vehicle.
In a report released by the police after the incident, the authorities disclosed they had managed to recover three used cartridges, with preliminary investigations revealing that Mbobu was shot five times in the head, killing him on the spot.