State opposes bail for five suspects in Dr Victoria Mutiso murder
The prosecution says the accused could compromise the ongoing investigation if released, with several alleged accomplices still at large.
NAIROBI, Kenya — The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) have opposed releasing five suspects accused of murdering Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, citing concerns about witness intimidation, evidence tampering, and potential flight. The prosecution contends the suspects could jeopardize the ongoing investigation, as some key accomplices remain at large.
The five — Rose Mbithe Mulwa, Angela Mulwa, Chris Mulwa, Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, and Maritim Kimutai — face murder charges following Dr Mutiso's death on July 29, 2026. They appeared before the High Court on Tuesday for plea-taking. The Homicide Investigations Bureau officer Corporal Romana Odour filed an affidavit stating that despite the constitutional right to bail, compelling reasons exist to keep the accused in custody pending trial.
The affidavit cites a land dispute over a 20-acre parcel in Mlolongo as a possible motive, linking the murder to a long-standing feud involving Dr Mutiso, her husband, and the first three accused. Authorities allege the group surveilled Dr Mutiso and her family, collected personal information, and coordinated logistics for months before the murder.
Police also claim telecommunications and electronic evidence point to a connection between the group and the planned attack. An incident on July 7 involving Dr Mutiso being confronted by two armed individuals near Junction Mall along Ngong Road is also mentioned, linking accused Pius Muiruri Mbugua as a pillion passenger. On the day of the murder, Dr Mutiso was intercepted in an Uber vehicle, registration KDJ 609D, and fatally shot.
Searches of the residences of the first two accused led to the recovery of items like a notebook with details of the Uber vehicle, SIM cards, photographs of the deceased and her family, and copies of her husband's ID. The third accused's residence allegedly yielded a vehicle believed stolen from Dr Mutiso's home. Kimoi allegedly fled after the shooting, burning his clothing to destroy forensic evidence.
Concerns over witness interference were raised, with intelligence about a plan to harm suspects who assisted investigators. Kimutai was arrested on August 22 while visiting a cooperating suspect. Three more suspects were arrested in Uganda and returned to Kenya. Some suspects remain at large, including senior police officers. The prosecution argues releasing the five could enable them to interfere with witnesses, destroy evidence, or frustrate investigations, particularly the key witness — Dr Mutiso's husband, who is described as vulnerable due to his relationship with the first three accused and his trauma from his wife's death.
The DCI also links the murder inquiry to a separate investigation into property linked to Dr Mutiso and her husband, reportedly valued at approximately Sh37 million, and a forged title deed. The DCI maintains that ordinary bail conditions would not suffice, as the network includes individuals with access to police resources.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
