NAIROBI, Kenya — Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has questioned the handling of investigations into the murder of mental health researcher Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, claiming that two police officers he linked to the case were arrested and later released.
Gachagua made the claims on Sunday, August 9, 2026, as he demanded greater transparency from investigators over the July 29 killing in Nairobi.
Mutiso was shot while travelling in an Uber in the Mawensi area of Nairobi before being rushed to hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Gachagua said information from within the security sector had led him to identify police officers whom he believed investigators should examine in connection with the murder.
He said he subsequently shared the names with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and challenged the agency to disclose what it knew about their alleged involvement.
“Nikatangaza polisi, na nikamwandikia inbox nikampatia majina ya hao polisi. Nikamwambia ukimaliza taarifa kama hutangazi, mimi nitatangaza,” Gachagua said.
He then alleged that two officers were apprehended during separate operations but were subsequently released.
Gachagua named one of the officers as Inspector Kenneth Kipkemboi Sang, whom he claimed was arrested at Thogoto on Thursday before being released following a phone call from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
“Huyu mmoja anaitwa Inspector Sang, siku ya Thursday alishikwa hapo Thogoto. Murkomen akapiga simu akawachiliwa,” he said.
He made a similar allegation concerning another officer, whom he identified as Collins Kiplagat, claiming the officer was arrested while travelling towards Mombasa before also being released.
“Huyu mwingine anaitwa Collins Kiplagat, alishikiwa pale on your way to Mombasa, pale Miasen. Murkomen amepiga simu amewachiliwa,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua’s claims had not been independently established from publicly available information by the time of publication. Authorities had also not publicly confirmed that the two officers were arrested and released in the manner alleged by the DCP leader.
Gachagua’s allegations come after the DCI publicly disclosed that serving police officers had allegedly played roles in the killing.
On Friday, DCI Director Mohamed Amin said an inspector attached to Nderi Police Post under Kikuyu Police Station had allegedly acted as a link between the alleged financiers and the operational team.
Amin identified the inspector as Kenneth Kipkemboi Sang, saying he allegedly provided the firearm used in the killing. The inspector was reported to be at large.
The DCI also identified Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, attached to Karinde Police Post, as the officer investigators allege pulled the trigger. Kimoi was reported to have been arrested.
Another officer, Police Constable Bett Kiplangat Collins of Thogoto Police Post, was also allegedly placed at the scene through forensic evidence and was reported to be on the run.
The DCI said investigators had recovered a Mini Jericho pistol from the armoury at Nderi Police Post and that ballistic examinations linked the firearm to cartridges recovered from the crime scene and a bullet retrieved from Mutiso’s body.
Gachagua’s claims come a day after Amin publicly challenged him to provide investigators with any information he possessed rather than making allegations outside the formal investigation.
The exchange has introduced an increasingly political dimension to the high-profile murder investigation.
Gachagua has maintained that some of the information informing his public statements came from serving security officers.
The DCP leader has now called for authorities to explain the alleged handling of the officers he named and to provide clarity on the progress of the investigation.
According to the DCI, investigators have made several breakthroughs since Mutiso was killed on July 29.
Detectives have identified multiple suspects, recovered the suspected murder weapon and traced vehicles allegedly used during the operation.
Investigators have also said the killing may have been connected to a longstanding land dispute involving property in Mlolongo, Machakos County.
The DCI has identified Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her son Christopher Mulwa as alleged principal organisers and financiers of the conspiracy. They are being held under court orders as investigations continue.
Also Read: DCI links Gachagua to communications with suspects in Dr Victoria Mutiso murder case
A motorcycle rider accused of transporting the alleged gunman has also been arrested, according to investigators.
The DCI has further said it is examining possible links between the Mutiso murder and the September 2025 shooting of lawyer Kyalo Mbobu along Magadi Road.
The competing claims have placed additional pressure on investigators to provide a clear account of the evidence gathered so far and the status of the officers allegedly connected to the case.
For now, however, Gachagua’s account that Inspector Sang and Collins Kiplagat were apprehended and subsequently released has not been publicly corroborated by the DCI, the National Police Service or the Interior Ministry.
The investigation remains active, with detectives pursuing additional suspects and evidence as authorities seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding Mutiso’s killing.
