Probe as mental health researcher Victoria Mutiso shot dead in Nairobi

A chilling, highly coordinated morning assassination in Nairobi has claimed the life of a prominent Kenyan mental health scholar, sparking an intensive multi-agency manhunt.

Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, a renowned researcher and director at the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB), was shot dead during her morning commute in what detectives suspect was a targeted attack.

The brazen shooting occurred at around 9 a.m. at the junction of Mbagathi Link Road and Mawenzi Road.

Witnesses described a carefully coordinated ambush, saying a Toyota Prado was already parked at the junction when the Uber vehicle carrying Dr Mutiso arrived and stopped alongside it.

Moments later, a motorcycle carrying three men approached the vehicle. One of the assailants allegedly opened fire, shooting Dr Mutiso twice in the head at close range before fleeing on the motorcycle. The Toyota Prado also sped away immediately after the shooting.

In a desperate attempt to save her life, the Uber driver rushed Dr Mutiso to the Kenyatta National Hospital Emergency Centre, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Homicide detectives and forensic officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) later cordoned off the vehicle at the hospital as investigations got underway.

The Uber vehicle has since been detained as a key exhibit after ballistic experts recovered two spent cartridges from inside the car.

Investigators are also examining mobile phones belonging to both the deceased and the driver in a bid to reconstruct their movements and communications before the fatal shooting.

A key line of inquiry centres on reports that Dr Mutiso had previously complained of threats to her life.

According to investigators, she had recently reported receiving direct threats at Kilimani Police Station before the matter was referred to Satellite Police Station under Dagoretti Division, where the alleged threats were being investigated.

Detectives are now seeking to establish whether the earlier threats are linked to her killing.

DCI Director Mohamed Amin said investigations are at an advanced stage as detectives pursue the assailants, who remain at large.

The Uber driver remains in police custody and is being questioned as investigators review CCTV footage to trace the movements of the motorcycle and the Toyota Prado believed to have been used in the attack.

Detectives also visited Dr Mutiso's home in Riara, where they interviewed her husband and colleagues as they seek to establish the motive behind the broad daylight killing.

Dr Mutiso's body has been moved to the Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.