Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was in communication with individuals linked to the murder of psychiatrist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Amin said investigators had established that Gachagua had been in contact with one of the key suspects as well as the boda boda rider allegedly involved in the fatal shooting.
“Gachagua was in communication with one of the suspects in the Dr Mutiso murder. Gachagua was also in communication with the boda boda rider. Suspects we arrested last evening were on the run almost crossing the border. Why would a politician want to bangle our investigations?” Amin said.
The allegations came as the DCI boss provided an update on the investigation, outlining what he described as significant breakthroughs, including the arrest of an alleged gunman, recovery of a suspected murder weapon and the alleged involvement of serving police officers.
According to the DCI, Dr Mutiso was travelling in an Uber on the morning of July 29 after leaving Tanga Heights Apartments along Bamboo Lane in Nairobi. She was heading to the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health in Upper Hill when the attack occurred.
At approximately 9:23 a.m., the Uber encountered a black Toyota Prado that had partially blocked the road in Mawensi. As the driver slowed down, a gunman allegedly opened fire from the rear-left side of the vehicle, where Dr Mutiso was seated.
The Uber driver immediately sped away and rushed her to Kenyatta National Hospital, where she was pronounced dead after sustaining three gunshot wounds.
Amin said DCI Kilimani initially handled the case before the Homicide Investigations Bureau took over, working alongside the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory, the Criminal Research and Intelligence Bureau and other specialised units.
Detectives recovered two spent cartridges at the scene, while a bullet was later retrieved from Dr Mutiso’s body during a post-mortem examination.
The DCI said intelligence-led investigations, CCTV footage and forensic analysis subsequently led detectives to two suspects identified as Daniel Mwangi Njoroge and Kelvin Ngugi Kinuthia.
According to investigators, Njoroge was allegedly the main organiser of the operation and drove a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, registration KDH 600A, which was reportedly used to block the Uber carrying Dr Mutiso.
Detectives said two Toyota Prado vehicles, registration numbers KDE 400W and KDH 600A, were hired by Njoroge on July 27 and returned on July 30. Tracking data allegedly placed the vehicles at the scene of the murder.
Kinuthia was identified by investigators as the motorcycle rider who allegedly transported the suspected shooter to the scene. Police said forensic evidence placed him at the crime scene, while the motorcycle, registration KMGZ 780D, has been impounded.
The investigation has also allegedly uncovered the involvement of serving police officers.
Amin said Inspector Kenneth Kipkemboi Sang, who was in charge of Nderi Police Post under Kikuyu Police Station, allegedly acted as a link between the financiers and the operational team and was also the source of the firearm allegedly used in the killing. He remains at large.
The DCI further identified Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi of Karinde Police Post, also under Kikuyu Police Station, as the officer who allegedly pulled the trigger. He has since been arrested.
The latest allegations have added a political dimension to the murder investigation, although the DCI’s claims regarding Gachagua’s communications do not, by themselves, establish that he participated in the killing.
