The investigation into the murder of renowned psychiatrist and mental health researcher Dr. Victoria Nthunya Mutiso has taken a fresh turn following the arrest of police officers alleged to have participated in her killing.
Among those in custody is Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi , attached to Karinde Police Post under Kikuyu Police Station. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) alleges that forensic evidence places Kimoi at the scene and identifies him as the officer who fatally shot Dr. Mutiso on July 29 along Mbagathi Link Road in Nairobi. Another police officer was also arrested on Friday, while detectives continue pursuing additional suspects believed to have been involved in the attack.
Kimoi’s arrest has revived scrutiny over his past after it emerged that he had previously been charged alongside five other police officers over the 2011 fatal shooting of motorist Stephen Gichuhi Njoroge in the Ruaka-Gigiri area. Although the officers were put on their defence in 2015, the High Court acquitted Kimoi and three others in 2016, while two officers were convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter. The revelation has reignited debate over how Kimoi returned to active police service following the case.
The latest arrests come days after detectives apprehended Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her son, Chris Mulwa, who investigators believe played a key role in planning the murder. The pair remain in custody as detectives analyse mobile phones, electronic devices and other exhibits recovered during a raid at their Nairobi residence.
According to the DCI, the murder is believed to have been orchestrated over a long-running dispute involving a 23-acre parcel of land in Mlolongo valued at nearly KSh2 billion. Detectives have also recovered a Mini Jericho pistol, which forensic analysis allegedly matched to the weapon used to kill Dr. Mutiso.
The case has since taken a political dimension after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua questioned the government’s account of the investigation, claiming the officers had not been arrested despite the DCI maintaining they remain in custody as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mutiso was laid to rest on Friday in an emotional ceremony attended by family, friends, colleagues and leaders. During the burial, her husband, renowned psychiatrist Prof. David Ndetei, said the family had chosen to forgive those responsible for her death while urging investigators to ensure justice is served.
DCI Director Mohamed Amin described the alleged involvement of serving police officers in the killing as a “grave betrayal of the uniform,” adding that investigations are ongoing as detectives pursue additional suspects and prepare to present the evidence before court.
