The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has told a Nairobi court that preliminary investigations have linked the first suspect to the fatal shooting of State doctor Victoria Mutiso, alleging that the suspect was the person who fired the shots that killed her.
DCI officer Miss Oduor told the court that investigators had recovered two spent cartridges and two bullet heads during the investigation, with the exhibits submitted to the forensic laboratory for analysis. An autopsy conducted on July 31, 2026, also led to the recovery of another bullet head, which was forwarded to the ballistic laboratory.
Oduor further revealed that investigators had recovered a Mini Glock pistol, serial number 47302127, which she said belonged to a senior police officer who remains at large. The firearm was subjected to forensic analysis alongside the recovered ballistic exhibits.
According to the DCI, Dr Mutiso was confronted by two armed men riding a motorcycle on July 7, 2026, while she was driving along Junction Mall. The armed men allegedly pointed a gun at her, with the incident subsequently reported at Kilimani Police Station under OB number 63/07/07/2026.
The investigators told the court that the first respondent is suspected of being the person who was armed and confronted Dr Mutiso. They also disclosed that preliminary investigations had uncovered a land dispute involving LR No. 1504/13, which is pending before the Machakos Law Courts, and which investigators believe could have been the motive for the killing.
The DCI further opposed the release of the suspects, arguing that they could interfere with witnesses and evidence. Oduor told the court that some of the respondents were personally connected to the land dispute and knew witnesses, including members of Dr Mutiso’s family.
One of the key witnesses, the deceased’s husband, had not yet recorded his statement due to the trauma he suffered following the killing. The prosecution argued that releasing the suspects before he records his statement could expose him to intimidation and compromise the quality and completeness of the evidence.
The DCI also said investigations were still ongoing, with other suspected participants yet to be arrested. Investigators were pursuing additional firearms allegedly used in the incident, while CCTV footage recovered during the investigation was still awaiting analysis.
The prosecution gave the court a breakdown of the alleged roles of the three respondents. Investigators said the first respondent was the one who fired the fatal shots, while the second respondent allegedly drove a black Prado, registration KDH 600A, which was used to block the Uber vehicle Dr Mutiso was travelling in.
The third respondent was alleged to have dropped off and later picked up the first respondent from the scene.
The court also heard that other alleged accomplices had already appeared before court and were in custody, while others remained at large. Investigators said they had about 50 witnesses to interview and record statements from as they sought to complete the investigation.
The DCI warned that releasing the suspects could compromise the investigation, particularly because some alleged accomplices, including police officers, were still at large. The prosecution also cited the intense public interest surrounding Dr Mutiso’s death and argued that the suspects could face retaliation or mob justice if released.
The State further argued that the suspects were a flight risk, noting that the offence they could ultimately be charged with is a capital offence. It therefore sought 30 more days to complete the investigations.
In allowing the application, Magistrate Mutai said the threshold for continued detention had been met. The court noted the complexity of the alleged offence, the ongoing forensic examinations, the existence of other suspects who remain at large and the possibility of interference with investigations.
“I am persuaded that if the respondents are released on bond or bail, there is a high likelihood that they will interfere with investigations,” Magistrate Mutai said.
The magistrate also noted that one of the suspects is a serving police officer and found that, given the public interest generated by the case, the suspects’ safety could not be guaranteed if they were released.
The court consequently ordered the three suspects to remain in custody for 30 days pending the conclusion of investigations.
The court directed that the first respondent be held at Ruaraka Police Station, the second at Pangani Police Station and the third at Gigiri Police Station.
The matter will be mentioned on September 10, 2026, for further orders. The court further directed that if investigations are completed before the 30 days expire, the State may return the suspects to court for further directions.
