Homicide detectives have arrested two suspects in connection with the fatal shooting of renowned mental health researcher Dr Victoria Mutiso, who was gunned down on Wednesday morning in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area.
In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the arrests followed an intensive investigation involving witness interviews, forensic analysis and targeted operations.
According to the agency, detectives pursued multiple investigative leads before tracing and apprehending the two suspects.
The DCI also confirmed that officers carried out searches at premises linked to persons of interest, recovering several exhibits believed to be relevant to the investigation.
The recovered items are currently undergoing detailed forensic examination.
“The DCI further confirms that two persons of interest are in lawful custody and are undergoing interrogation as part of ongoing investigations,” the agency said.
Dr Mutiso, a respected researcher and director at the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB), was shot dead while travelling to work in what investigators believe was a targeted attack.
The shooting occurred at around 9 a.m. at the junction of Mbagathi Link Road and Mawenzi Road in Upper Hill.
Witnesses told investigators that a Toyota Prado was already parked at the junction when the Uber vehicle carrying Dr Mutiso arrived and stopped nearby.
Shortly afterwards, a motorcycle carrying three men approached the vehicle. One of the suspects allegedly opened fire, shooting Dr Mutiso twice in the head at close range before escaping on the motorcycle.
The Toyota Prado also sped away from the scene immediately after the attack.
The Uber driver rushed Dr Mutiso to the Kenyatta National Hospital Emergency Centre in an effort to save her life, but she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Homicide detectives and forensic experts later processed the scene and impounded the Uber vehicle as a key exhibit.
Ballistic investigators recovered two spent cartridges from inside the vehicle, which are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation as detectives work to establish the motive behind the killing and identify any additional suspects.
