Gachagua was in communication with suspects in Dr. Victoria Mutiso killing: DCI Amin claims

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was in communication with key suspects involved in the murder of psychiatrist Dr. Victoria Nthunya Mutiso.

Addressing the media on Friday, Amin said investigators had established that Gachagua had been in contact with one of the key suspects as well as the boda boda rider allegedly involved in the fatal shooting.

"Gachagua was in communication with one of the suspects in the Dr Mutiso murder. Gachagua was also in communication with the boda boda rider. Suspects we arrested last evening were on the run almost crossing the border. Why would a politician want to bangle our investigations?" Amin said.

The remarks came as the DCI boss released a detailed update outlining what he described as major breakthroughs in investigations into the July 29 killing, including the arrest of the alleged gunman, the recovery of the suspected murder weapon and claims that serving police officers participated in the assassination.

According to the DCI, Dr. Mutiso was travelling in an Uber on the morning of July 29 after leaving Tanga Heights Apartments along Bamboo Lane in Nairobi and was headed to the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health in Upper Hill.

At about 9:23 a.m., the Uber encountered a black Toyota Prado that had partially blocked the road in Mawensi. As the driver slowed down, a gunman opened fire from the rear left side where Dr. Mutiso was seated.

The Uber driver then sped away and rushed her to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where she was pronounced dead after sustaining three gunshot wounds.

Amin said DCI Kilimani initially handled the case before the Homicide Investigations Bureau took over with support from the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory, the Criminal Research and Intelligence Bureau and other specialised units.

Investigators recovered two spent cartridges from the crime scene and later retrieved a bullet from the victim's body during a post-mortem examination.

The DCI chief said intelligence-led investigations, CCTV analysis and forensic examinations quickly led detectives to two suspects identified as Daniel Mwangi Njoroge and Kelvin Ngugi Kinuthia.

According to investigators, Njoroge was the central organiser of the operation and drove a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, registration KDH 600A, which was used to block the Uber carrying Dr. Mutiso.

Detectives said two Toyota Prado vehicles — KDE 400W and KDH 600A — were hired by Njoroge on July 27 and returned on July 30, while tracking data placed the vehicles at the murder scene.

Kelvin Ngugi Kinuthia was identified as the motorcycle rider who ferried the alleged shooter to the scene. Investigators said forensic evidence placed him at the crime scene, while the motorcycle, registration KMGZ 780D, has since been impounded.

The investigations also allegedly uncovered the involvement of serving police officers.

Amin said Inspector Kenneth Kipkemboi Sang, the officer in charge of Nderi Police Post under Kikuyu Police Station, acted as the link between the financiers and the operational team and was also the source of the murder weapon. He remains at large.

The DCI further identified Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi of Karinde Police Post under Kikuyu Police Station as the officer who allegedly pulled the trigger. He has since been arrested.

Another officer, Police Constable Bett Kiplangat Collins of Thogoto Police Post Kikuyu Police Station, was also forensically placed at the scene and is currently on the run.

"The involvement of these rogue officers represents a grave betrayal of the uniform and the public trust. The Directorate will pursue them with the full force of the law," Amin said.

Investigators said they later recovered a Mini Jericho pistol, serial number KP 47302127, from the armoury at Nderi Police Post. The firearm had allegedly been issued to Inspector Sang.

Ballistic examinations matched the weapon to spent cartridges recovered from the crime scene and the bullet retrieved from Dr. Mutiso's body, according to the DCI.

On the motive, investigators said evidence gathered so far points to a long-running land dispute centred on Civil Suit No. ELC/E111/2025 at the Machakos Law Courts.

The DCI alleged that the dispute arose after Dr. Mutiso placed a caveat on land parcel LR No. 1504/13 in Mlolongo, Athi River Sub-County, a move investigators believe threatened the interests of parties contesting ownership of the property.

According to Amin, Rose Mbithe Mulwa, the former wife of Dr. Mutiso's husband Prof. David Musyimi Ndetei, and her son Christopher Mulwa were identified as the principal organisers and financiers of the alleged conspiracy.

The DCI said the two are already being held under court orders granted on July 31 to allow detectives to complete investigations.

Investigators also disclosed that Dr. Mutiso had reported an earlier attempt on her life on July 7, when two men on a motorcycle allegedly pointed a gun at her along Ngong Road near Junction Mall.

She reported the incident at Kilimani Police Station and was referred to Riruta Police Station, but never recorded a further statement.

Amin said investigations remain active and detectives are pursuing additional leads, including possible links between some of the suspects and the September 2025 drive-by shooting of lawyer Kyalo Mbobu along Magadi Road.

"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations will stop at nothing to ensure that justice is fully served," he said, adding that "no one — regardless of status, uniform or influence — is above the law."

He also appealed to members of the public with relevant information to assist investigators through official DCI channels, assuring them that all information would be handled confidentially.

"To the family of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso: the full weight of the investigative machinery of the Republic is behind the pursuit of justice for her. We will not rest until every person responsible faces the consequences of their actions," Amin said.