NAIROBI, Kenya — Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin has alleged that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was in communication with key suspects linked to the murder of psychiatrist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, as detectives announced what they described as major breakthroughs in the high-profile investigation.
Addressing a press briefing on Friday 7, August 2026, Amin claimed investigators had established communication between Gachagua, one of the principal suspects, and the boda boda rider alleged to have ferried the gunman who fatally shot the psychiatrist.
“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 bungle our investigations?” Amin said.
The DCI chief did not disclose the nature, timing or content of the alleged communications, nor did he announce any criminal charges against Gachagua.
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. She was headed to the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health in Upper Hill.
At approximately 9:23 a.m., detectives said the Uber encountered a black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado that partially blocked the road in the Mawensi area.
As the driver slowed down, a gunman allegedly approached the rear left side of the vehicle, where Dr Mutiso was seated, and opened fire.
The Uber driver rushed the psychiatrist to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where she was pronounced dead after sustaining three gunshot wounds.
Amin said detectives from the Homicide Investigations Bureau, working alongside forensic experts and intelligence officers, recovered two spent cartridges from the crime scene and later retrieved a bullet during the post-mortem examination.
The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Daniel Mwangi Njoroge and Kelvin Ngugi Kinuthia.
According to investigators, Njoroge allegedly coordinated the operation and drove a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (KDH 600A) used to obstruct the victim’s vehicle.
Detectives further alleged that two Toyota Prado vehicles—KDE 400W and KDH 600A—had been hired on July 27 and returned on July 30, with vehicle tracking data placing them at the scene of the killing.
Kinuthia is alleged to have ferried the suspected gunman to and from the crime scene using motorcycle KMGZ 780D, which has since been impounded.
The DCI also alleged that serving police officers participated in the assassination.
Amin identified Inspector Kenneth Kipkemboi Sang, the officer in charge of Nderi Police Post under Kikuyu Police Station, as the alleged link between the financiers and the operational team.
He claimed Sang also supplied the firearm allegedly used in the killing and remains at large.
Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, attached to Karinde Police Post, was identified by investigators as the suspected gunman and has since been arrested.
Another officer, Police Constable Bett Kiplangat Collins of Thogoto Police Post, was also placed at the scene through forensic evidence and remains on the run, according to investigators.
“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.
According to the DCI, the firearm had been issued to Inspector Sang.
Ballistic experts allegedly matched the pistol to spent cartridges recovered at the crime scene and the bullet removed from Dr Mutiso’s body during the post-mortem examination.
The DCI said preliminary investigations point to a long-running land dispute as the likely motive behind the killing.
According to detectives, the dispute centres on Civil Suit No. ELC/E111/2025 before the Machakos Environment and Land Court concerning Land Parcel LR No. 1504/13 in Mlolongo, Athi River Sub-County.
Investigators allege Dr Mutiso had placed a caveat on the property, a move they believe threatened the interests of individuals contesting ownership.
Amin identified Rose Mbithe Mulwa, the former wife of Dr Mutiso’s husband Prof. David Musyimi Ndetei, and her son Christopher Mulwa as the alleged principal organisers and financiers of the conspiracy.
He said both are currently in custody under court orders granted on July 31 to allow detectives to complete investigations.
The DCI further disclosed that Dr Mutiso had previously reported an attempted attack on July 7, when two men riding a motorcycle allegedly pointed a gun at her near Junction Mall along Ngong Road.
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She reported the incident at Kilimani Police Station and was referred to Riruta Police Station, but investigators said she did not record a further statement.
Amin added that 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,” Amin said.
He appealed to members of the public with relevant information to cooperate with investigators, assuring them that all information would be handled confidentially.
By the time of publication, Rigathi Gachagua had not publicly responded to the allegations made by the DCI.
No charges had been announced against the former deputy president, and the DCI did not indicate whether the alleged communications constituted a criminal offence.
The investigation remains ongoing.
