The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has told the Milimani court that Samuel Karanja Gathoni, alias Wakili, a suspect in the murder of lawyer Dr Victoria Mutiso, has provided crucial information to investigators and is now being considered as a prosecution witness in the murder case.
The DCI said Gathoni will remain in custody as the Witness Protection Agency (WPA) completes arrangements to admit him into its protection programme. According to Police Corporal Romana Odour of the Homicide Investigations Department, the WPA interviewed Gathoni on September 24, 2026, after which the agency began making arrangements to place him under its protection.
The DCI is seeking a 14-day extension of Gathoni's detention to allow the WPA to complete the necessary arrangements and move him to a safe house. The prosecution cited the risk of interference with witnesses, the vulnerability of key witnesses, and the need to trace and arrest other suspects linked to the case as reasons for seeking more time.
Investigators also listed pending forensic examinations among the reasons for seeking more time, alongside fears that suspects could collude or interfere with or destroy evidence. The DCI argued that these circumstances provided sufficient grounds for Gathoni to remain in custody as investigators complete the remaining work and the witness protection process is finalised.
Gathoni is the third respondent in the application, alongside Police Constable Collins Bett Kiplangat and Pius Muiru Mbugua, alias Headboy. According to the affidavit, Bett and Mbugua have already been charged with murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code and are expected to take plea on October 6.
The three were first presented in court on September 2, when investigators obtained an order allowing them to be held for 30 days as further investigations into the murder continued. The latest application is specifically seeking another 14 days to allow the WPA to complete the arrangements for Gathoni’s admission into the protection programme.
The case relates to the murder of lawyer Dr Victoria Mutiso, whose death in July led to a police investigation that has since resulted in murder charges against several suspects. The DCI's application is aimed at ensuring that Gathoni's safety is guaranteed as he provides crucial testimony in the murder case.
Key points
- The DCI is seeking a 14-day extension of Gathoni's detention to allow the WPA to complete the necessary arrangements for his admission into the protection programme.
- Gathoni has provided crucial information to investigators and is now being considered as a prosecution witness in the murder case.
- The case relates to the murder of lawyer Dr Victoria Mutiso, whose death in July led to a police investigation that has since resulted in murder charges against several suspects.
