The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced a major breakthrough in the murder of Dr. Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, revealing that detectives have uncovered what they described as a carefully planned assassination linked to a long-standing land dispute and involving rogue police officers, civilian accomplices and close relatives of the deceased’s family.
Addressing journalists at the DCI Headquarters at Mazingira Complex along Kiambu Road, Nairobi, DCI Director Mohamed Amin said investigations conducted by a multi-agency team comprising the Homicide Investigation Bureau, the National Police Forensic Laboratory and the Criminal Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) had led to the arrest of key suspects and the recovery of the firearm allegedly used in the killing.
Amin said investigators had established that the murder was orchestrated over a dispute involving land parcel LR No. 1504/13 in Athi River, Machakos County, where the deceased had lodged a caveat.
According to the DCI Director, detectives have identified Rose Mbide Muluwa, the former wife of Dr. Mutiso’s husband, together with her son Christopher Muluwa, as the principal organisers and financiers of the alleged conspiracy.
He said the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani granted investigators 21 days on July 31, 2026, to detain the two suspects to allow completion of investigations.
The DCI said the fatal shooting occurred on the morning of July 29, 2026, when Dr. Mutiso, the former Director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health, boarded a ride-hailing vehicle from Tanga Heights Apartments along Bamboo Lane destined for Upper Hill.
At about 9.23 a.m., a black Toyota Prado allegedly blocked the vehicle along Mawensi Road before a gunman opened fire, shooting Dr. Mutiso three times.
The driver immediately rushed her to Kenyatta National Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Amin said forensic investigations, intelligence gathering and analysis of CCTV footage enabled detectives to identify two civilian suspects who allegedly coordinated the operation.
The suspects, Daniel Mwangi Njoroge and Kelvin Ngugi Kinuthia, are accused of facilitating the execution of the murder.
According to investigators, Njoroge hired two Toyota Prado vehicles, registration numbers KDE 400W and KDH 600A, which were allegedly used to block the victim’s vehicle and coordinate movements during the attack.
Tracking devices installed in the hired vehicles reportedly placed them at the scene during the shooting.
Kinuthia was identified as the motorcycle rider who allegedly ferried the gunman to and from the crime scene.
Police have since impounded the motorcycle, registration number KMGZ 780D, as part of the ongoing investigations.
The probe further established the alleged involvement of serving police officers in the planning and execution of the killing.
Inspector Kenneth Kipkemboi, Officer Commanding Nderi Police Post, who was identified as the alleged link between the financiers and the operational team and is suspected of supplying the murder weapon, remains at large.
The alleged gunman was identified as Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, attached to Karinde Police Post.
Kimoi has been arrested, with Amin saying forensic evidence places him at the scene of the crime.
“The involvement of these rogue police officers represents a grave betrayal of the uniform and the public trust. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations will pursue them with the full force of the law,” Amin said.
Investigators also recovered a Mini Jericho pistol loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition during a search at Nderi Police Post.
The firearm, registered under Inspector Kipkemboi’s command, was subjected to ballistic examination at the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory.
According to Amin, forensic experts confirmed that spent cartridges recovered from the murder scene and a bullet recovered during the postmortem examination matched test-fired rounds from the recovered pistol.
The DCI is also investigating earlier threats allegedly made against Dr. Mutiso before her death.
These include an alleged attempt on her life on July 7 near Junction Mall along Ngong Road.
Investigators are further examining possible links between the suspects and the drive-by shooting of lawyer Charlo Mgopo along Mbagathi Road in September 2025.
Amin assured the public that detectives would pursue all individuals involved regardless of their position or influence.
“No one, regardless of status, uniform or influence, is above the law. Those who participated in this crime, supplied the weapon, financed it, coordinated it or attempted to obstruct investigations will be held accountable,” he said.
He also assured the family of Dr. Mutiso that investigators remain committed to ensuring justice is served.
“To the family of Dr. Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, the full weight of the investigative machinery of the Republic of Kenya is behind the pursuit of justice. We will not rest until every person responsible faces the consequences of their actions,” Amin said.
By Lilian Gichohi and Phaeline Motari
