NAIROBI, Kenya- Investigations into the killing of clinical psychologist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso have taken a new turn, with detectives saying three police officers were promised a total of Sh1.5 million to carry out the murder.
The latest details emerged as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) intensified its search for two police officers who are still at large and are considered key suspects in the investigation.
According to investigators, each of the three officers was promised Sh500,000 after completing the assignment.
Detectives further believe that part of the money had already been paid before Dr Mutiso was killed.
Dr Mutiso was shot dead on the morning of July 29, 2026, while travelling to work in a taxi in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area.
Three police officers linked to alleged plot
The DCI has identified three police officers in connection with the alleged operation.
Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, who was attached to Karinde Police Post, has been arrested. Investigators have identified him as the officer who allegedly fired the shots that killed Dr Mutiso.
The other two officers- Inspector Kenneth Kipkemboi Sang, formerly the Officer Commanding Station at Nderi Police Station, and Police Constable Bett Kiplangat Collins of Thogoto Police Post- remain at large.
Detectives believe Sang supplied the firearm allegedly used in the killing.
According to the DCI, a Mini Jericho pistol, serial number KP 47302127, loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition, was recovered from the Nderi Police Post armoury and was registered to Sang. Ballistic examinations reportedly linked the firearm to the shots that killed Dr Mutiso.
Collins, meanwhile, was placed at the scene through forensic evidence, according to investigators. Police have intensified efforts to trace both officers.
How the shooting happened
Dr Mutiso was travelling in an Uber vehicle from Tanga Heights Apartment towards the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health in Upper Hill when the attack occurred.
Investigators say a black Toyota Prado intercepted the vehicle near the Mawensi area. As the taxi slowed down, shots were fired into the vehicle, hitting Dr Mutiso.
Her driver, Victor Job Chunguli, rushed her to Kenyatta National Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Earlier accounts of the attack had indicated that an SUV was positioned near the junction as a motorcycle carrying armed men approached the taxi.
Detectives have since focused on two Toyota Prado vehicles allegedly used in the operation.
Two Prados traced
Investigators have identified two Toyota Prados- KDE 400W and KDH 600A- which they believe were used to block the road and transport members of the alleged execution team.
According to investigators, both vehicles were hired by Daniel Mwangi Njoroge on July 27 and returned on July 30. Tracking data allegedly placed the vehicles at the scene of the shooting.
Njoroge has been identified by investigators as a key suspect, with police alleging that he drove one of the vehicles during the interception and coordinated the movement of the team.
Kelvin Ngugi Kinuthia has also been identified as another person of interest in the investigation.
Detectives have also recovered another vehicle allegedly stolen from property at the centre of a land dispute connected to the case. The vehicle was traced to Kisii County.
Land dispute remains a key line of inquiry
The murder investigation has also examined a long-running dispute involving a 20-acre parcel of land in Mlolongo, Athi River, valued at more than Sh1.5 billion, according to evidence presented in court.
Several people have been arrested in connection with the wider investigation, including lawyer Angela Mulwa, Nelson Masiga Makaralu, Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her son Chris Mulwa.
A Nairobi court has previously granted investigators additional time to hold some of the suspects as the probe continues.
Police have been investigating alleged threats made against Dr Mutiso before her death, including complaints she had reported to police. Detectives are seeking to establish whether those threats were connected to the eventual attack.
Investigation continues
The DCI is continuing to piece together the chain connecting the suspected financiers, intermediaries, police officers and the people who carried out the shooting.
Investigators are also examining firearm registers from several police stations to establish the movement and custody of the weapon believed to have been used in the killing.
The alleged Sh1.5 million payment remains part of the ongoing investigation, and the suspects named by detectives have not been convicted of the offences.
The evidence gathered will ultimately be tested through the criminal justice process.
Dr Mutiso’s killing has attracted widespread attention because of the involvement of serving police officers and the emerging evidence pointing to a planned attack.
