A Nairobi court has rejected an application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) seeking to detain two suspects for 30 days as investigations continue into the murder of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso. Police Constable Collins Bett and Pius Muiru Mbugua, alias “Headboy”, are facing a murder charge under Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code, Cap. 63 of the Laws of Kenya.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that the two suspects, jointly with others who have not been brought before the court, murdered Dr Mutiso on the morning of July 29, 2026. The alleged offence is said to have occurred at about 9.30am along Mawensi Road in Kilimani Sub-County, Nairobi County.
The prosecution had asked the court to allow the suspects to remain in custody for 30 days to facilitate further investigations. Among the issues the investigators sought to address was the mental assessment of the two suspects. The application for the extended detention was opposed on the grounds that the 30-day period sought was unreasonable.
Justice Alexander Muteti declined to grant the request, directing that the suspects be taken for mental assessment within the period allowed by the court. “Prosecution application for 30 days is unreasonable,” Justice Muteti directed, adding that the ODPP had until the stated deadline to have the two suspects taken for mental assessment.
The judge further directed that the matter be mentioned alongside the related case for plea taking. The court also indicated that the suspects could be taken to the remand facility, noting the need for equality and to avoid complaints regarding their treatment while the matter is pending. The case is expected to be mentioned together with another murder case arising from the death of Dr Mutiso.
In the related case, Rose Mbithe, her daughter Angela Mulwa and son Chris Mulwa are charged alongside police officers identified as Kibelion and Kimutai in connection with Dr Mutiso’s murder.
