Police have moved to court seeking orders to detain lawyer Angela Mulwa for 14 days as investigators probe the murder of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, who was shot dead in Nairobi last month. In an application filed before the Milimani court on August 21, 2026, investigators want Mulwa held at Industrial Area Police Station or another lawful place of custody to allow the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to complete investigations.
Dr Mutiso, the former Director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health, was fatally shot on July 29, 2026 while inside motor vehicle registration number KDJ 609D in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
The application is supported by an affidavit sworn by Corporal Romana Odour of the Homicide Investigations Bureau at DCI Headquarters, who says investigators are probing an offence of murder contrary to Sections 203 and 204 of the Penal Code. According to investigators, the scene was documented and two spent cartridges and two bullet fragments were recovered and submitted for forensic examination. Police further say they have recovered CCTV footage and call data records and detained several vehicles — KDJ 609D, KDH 600A and KDE 400W — as well as motorcycle KMGZ 980D for forensic examination.
Mulwa was arrested on August 20 and placed in custody at Industrial Area Police Station pending her presentation before court.
Investigators have linked one of the possible motives for Dr Mutiso’s killing to a land dispute involving L.R. No. 1504/13, which they say is the subject of Machakos court case MCELC/E111/2025. Police say Dr Mutiso had previously reported that someone had attempted to kill her and that she was being trailed before the fatal shooting.
In particular, investigators claim that on July 7, 2026, Dr Mutiso reported an incident near Junction Mall along Ngong Road in which two armed people riding a motorcycle allegedly confronted her and pointed a gun at her. She allegedly managed to escape and subsequently reported the incident at Kilimani Police Station under OB No. 63/07/07/2026.
In the affidavit, investigators allege that Mulwa is suspected of being among the masterminds of the attack. The allegation has not been tested in court, and the application before the court is for continued detention to facilitate investigations rather than a determination of criminal liability. Police further allege that preliminary investigations have established that Mulwa played a “vital role” in Dr Mutiso’s murder and cite her alleged presence during the eviction and demolition of property L.R. No. 1504/13 as part of their case.
Investigators also claim Mulwa knows material witnesses, including members of the deceased’s family and people connected to the land dispute, and argue that releasing her at this stage could create a risk of interference, intimidation or influence. They say other suspected participants are still being pursued and warn of possible collusion, flight or concealment or destruction of evidence.
The application also refers to other suspects being investigated in related proceedings, including Rose Mbithe Mulwa alias Rose Mbithe Ndelei and Chris Mulwa, as well as Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, Daniel Mwangi Njoroge and Kelvin Ngugi Kinuthia. Police claim some persons still at large include senior police officers and argue that Mulwa’s release could lead to interference with witnesses and the ongoing investigation.
Investigators have also cited the widespread public interest surrounding Dr Mutiso’s killing, arguing that continued custody would protect Mulwa from possible retaliation, mob justice or other threats while investigations continue.
The DCI says the investigation remains active and intelligence-led, with several leads yet to be pursued, and claims releasing the suspects could allow them to coordinate their accounts or destroy documentary or electronic evidence.
Police are consequently asking the court for 14 days to complete the outstanding investigations before submitting the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for an independent decision on whether charges should be preferred and whether any charges should be consolidated with those involving other suspects.
