Nairobi, Kenya — August 10, 2026: Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of interfering with investigations into the murder of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso.
Gachagua claimed that Murkomen intervened to secure the release of two police officers who had allegedly been arrested in connection with the killing.
The former Deputy President made the allegations during a Thanksgiving church service in Kiambaa, Kiambu County.
Gachagua alleges Murkomen blocked arrests
According to Gachagua, detectives had apprehended two people of interest in separate locations following the death of Dr Mutiso.
He claimed the arrests were later disrupted after Murkomen allegedly made phone calls that resulted in the suspects being released.
“On Thursday, one officer was caught in Thogoto. After CS Murkomen heard that news, he called, and the officer was released,” Gachagua claimed.
“The other was caught en route to Mombasa. CS Murkomen called once again, and he was released,” he added.
Gachagua did not provide publicly verifiable evidence during the church service to substantiate his allegations against the Interior Cabinet Secretary.
The claims come as detectives continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Dr Mutiso’s death.
Gachagua claims innocent men are being framed
Gachagua further alleged that investigators were attempting to shift blame onto two innocent men.
He claimed a motorcycle operator and a motorist were being targeted as part of an effort to divert attention from the people actually responsible for the killing.
The former Deputy President said he had received the information from alleged whistleblowers within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
However, he did not publicly identify the alleged whistleblowers or provide evidence supporting the claims.
Claims of officers available for hire
Gachagua also made broader allegations about alleged criminal activity involving police officers.
He claimed a senior officer was being protected as part of a network allegedly involved in contract killings.
According to Gachagua, some officers linked to Kikuyu Police Station were allegedly available for hire to settle personal, business or domestic disputes.
The former Deputy President did not provide physical evidence to substantiate the allegations.
The claims could not independently be verified based on the information available.
Who was Dr Victoria Mutiso?
Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso was a clinical psychologist, mental health researcher and Head of Research at the Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation (AMHRTF).
She was shot dead in Nairobi on July 29.
Detectives have reportedly classified the killing as a targeted assassination as investigations continue to establish the motive and identify those responsible.
Her death has sparked concern among colleagues, members of the mental health community and Kenyans seeking answers over the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Investigations into Dr Mutiso’s murder continue
The allegations by Gachagua have added a political dimension to the investigation into Dr Mutiso’s killing.
However, claims made by political leaders are not equivalent to findings by investigators or evidence presented in court.
Authorities will ultimately be expected to establish who was responsible for the killing and whether any police officers interfered with the investigation.
Gachagua’s allegations against Murkomen also raise questions about the conduct of law enforcement officers involved in the case.
Neither the alleged involvement of Murkomen nor the claims of a wider contract-killing network should be treated as established facts unless supported by evidence from investigators or a court.
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