The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Director of Public Prosecution have opposed the release on bail of five suspects charged with the murder of Dr. Victoria Nthunya Mutiso. According to an affidavit filed in court, the investigating officer, CPL Romana Odour, argues that compelling reasons exist to keep the accused persons in custody pending trial. The suspects are jointly charged with others who are yet to appear in court over the killing of Dr. Mutiso on July 29, 2026.
The murder is allegedly linked to a long-running dispute over a 20-acre property in Mlolongo involving the deceased, her husband, and the first three accused persons: Rose Mbithe Mulwa, Angela Mulwa, and Chris Mulwa. The investigating officer alleges that these individuals were known to the deceased and her family and formed the core of a wider group that planned and facilitated the killing. The group allegedly conducted surveillance, gathered personal information, and coordinated communications and logistics for about four months before the murder.
Investigators claim that telecommunications and electronic evidence link the accused persons to meetings, communications, and activities connected to the planned attack. An alleged incident on July 7, 2026, where the deceased reported being confronted by two armed people on a motorcycle near Junction Mall along Ngong Road, is also being investigated. The fourth accused, Elijah Kimoi, a serving police officer at the time of the alleged offence, is accused of firing the fatal shot.
The DCI alleges that searches conducted after the arrests resulted in the recovery of significant items, including a black and red A7 notebook containing details of the Uber vehicle used by the deceased, Airtel SIM cards, photographs of the deceased and her family, and copies of her husband's national identity card. A motor vehicle allegedly taken from the deceased's home in Mlolongo was also recovered from the third accused's residence in Kerarapon.
The fifth accused, Maritim Kimutai, was arrested at Pangani Police Station on August 22 while allegedly visiting one of the cooperating suspects and carrying food. The DCI says information obtained from Kimutai's telephone helped investigators trace and arrest additional suspects, including three people who had allegedly fled to Uganda. Investigations are ongoing, with several alleged accomplices still at large, including some senior police officers.
The prosecution has raised concerns over alleged attempts to interfere with suspects cooperating with investigators. Intelligence received on August 20 suggested an alleged plan to harm suspects who had agreed to cooperate with the investigation. The DCI also says some witnesses are currently under the protection of the Witness Protection Agency and argues that the accused persons or their associates could attempt to contact or influence them if released.
The prosecution argues that the continued freedom of the accused persons could enable them to interfere with witnesses, destroy or conceal evidence, and frustrate ongoing investigations. The DCI has therefore asked the court to deny the five accused persons bail, arguing that their continued detention is necessary to protect witnesses, preserve evidence, and safeguard the integrity of the ongoing investigations. The case is linked to a separate investigation concerning alleged destruction and loss of property belonging to the deceased and her husband in Mlolongo.
Key points
- The DCI opposes bail for the five suspects, citing risks of witness interference and evidence destruction.
- The murder is allegedly linked to a long-running dispute over a 20-acre property in Mlolongo.
- The investigating officer argues that compelling reasons exist to keep the accused persons in custody pending trial.
