The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved the prosecution of Kimutai Maritim for the murder of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, bringing to five the number of suspects set to face murder charges in the case.
Maritim will be charged alongside Rose Mbithe, her daughter Angela Mulwa, her son Chris Mulwa and Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi.
The five are expected to appear before the High Court on September 29, 2026, for plea-taking following a directive by Justice Alexander Muteti.
Maritim was arrested on August 22 after he allegedly attempted to visit suspects being held at Pangani Police Station.
He was reportedly intercepted while trying to deliver a loaf of bread and a packet of milk to the detainees.
During previous court proceedings, investigators told the court that Maritim was allegedly linked to the planning of the offence and could assist detectives in tracing other suspects who remain at large.
The prosecution has also told the court that three other suspects arrested in connection with the murder are expected to return to court on October 1.
They are Police Constable Collins Bett Kilangat, Pius Muiruri Mbugua and Samuel Karanja Gathoni, who have been detained for 30 days to allow investigators to complete their inquiries.
The three were arrested on August 29 at Kyanja Heights Flats in Nakawa, Kampala, Uganda, before being returned to Kenya.
The prosecution team is led by counsels Jalson Makori and Pauline Muthuri.
Land dispute among lines of inquiry
Dr Mutiso, a former Director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health, was fatally shot on July 29 while travelling in an Uber in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
Investigators have identified a land dispute involving the deceased as one of the possible motives for the killing.
The property at the centre of the inquiry is L.R. No. 1504/13, which is also the subject of a case before the Machakos court.
Detectives have also established that Dr Mutiso had previously reported an attempted attack and alleged that she had been followed before her death.
On July 7, she reportedly told police that two armed men riding a motorcycle confronted her near Junction Mall along Ngong Road. According to investigators, the men pointed a firearm at her before she managed to escape and reported the incident at Kilimani Police Station.
Investigators have alleged that Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi was among the men involved in the earlier incident.
Police are also pursuing Inspector Kenneth Kipkemboi Sang, who has been listed as a person of interest in the investigation. He is believed to have returned to Kenya from Uganda after initially fleeing the country.
A source said Sang was traced to the Mau Narok area on September 7, with police urging him to surrender for questioning. Investigators have alleged that a pistol associated with him was used in the killing.
Investigators trace roles of suspects
Detectives investigating the murder have also been piecing together the alleged roles of the suspects in the operation.
Investigators say Police Constable Collins Bett Kilangat was involved in surveillance and acted as co-driver to Daniel Mwangi Njoroge, whom detectives describe as a central organiser of the operation.
Njoroge allegedly drove a Land Cruiser Prado, registration KDH 600A, which investigators say was used to box in the Uber carrying Dr Mutiso shortly before she was shot.
Detectives have further alleged that Pius Muiruri Mbugua acted as a link between the alleged execution team and the person who contracted them. Investigators say he also handled payments and moved money for logistics and the movement of the alleged hit team.
The DCI is continuing to pursue additional suspects believed to have played various roles in the killing.
Possible link to lawyer’s murder
Investigators are also examining whether some of the suspects could be connected to the murder of lawyer Mbobu Kyalo in September last year.
Kyalo had represented Dr Mutiso’s husband, Prof David Ndetei, in legal proceedings. The investigation team is examining whether his killing could be linked to the property dispute involving the family.
Dr Mutiso’s case is therefore being investigated alongside possible links involving the disputed property, the earlier alleged attempt on her life and the subsequent killing.
The investigations remain ongoing, with detectives expected to present additional evidence as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding Dr Mutiso’s death and identify all those allegedly involved.
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