Homicide detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arraigned two key suspects before the Milimani Law Courts in connection with the fatal shooting of renowned mental health researcher Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso.

The suspects, identified as Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her son, Chris Mulwa, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo following an intelligence-led operation that led to their arrest in Nairobi.

DCI Seeks 30-day detention of the suspects

During the court appearance, the suspects did not take a plea. State prosecutors, acting on behalf of the DCI and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), filed an application seeking to hold the mother and son in custody for 30 days to facilitate deeper investigations.

Investigating officer Corporal Romana Oduour informed the court that detectives require additional time to:

• Trace accomplices: Locate additional persons of interest believed to be linked to the planned ambush.
• Perform forensic audits: Complete forensic, ballistic, and documentary analyses of items seized during police raids.
• Record witness statements: Interview key witnesses and examine mobile phone communications retrieved from the scene.
  The court reserved its ruling on the 30-day detention application.

Investigation points to multi-billion property conflict

Detectives are centring their investigations on a protracted, high-stakes family land and property dispute as the underlying motive behind the killing.

Key motives under investigation

Multi-billion property dispute: Suspect Rose Mbithe Mulwa is the ex-wife of Dr Mutiso’s husband, Professor David Musyimi Ndetei. Police are investigating whether tensions over high-value family estates drove the assassination plot.

Recent marriage formalisation: Dr Victoria Mutiso had recently formalised her marriage to Prof. Ndetei shortly before the fatal attack, exacerbating existing domestic and asset friction.

Prior evictions & destruction: Investigators are linking a vehicle spotted at the murder scene to a February eviction at Dr Mutiso’s Mlolongo home, an operation allegedly executed under eviction orders presented by Mbithe.

Connection to lawyer’s murder: DCI homicide officers are probing possible links between Dr Mutiso’s killing and the September 2025 murder of lawyer Matthew Kyalo Mbobu, who previously represented Prof. Ndetei in property litigation against Mbithe.

Details of the ambush

Dr Victoria Mutiso, former Director at the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB) and head of research at the Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, was killed on the morning of July 29, 2026, in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area.
According to police reports:

1. The Interception: Dr Mutiso was travelling in a ride-hailing vehicle along Ralph Bunche Road when a parked SUV intercepted her vehicle at an intersection.
2. The Attack: Assailants on a motorcycle approached the vehicle and fired three shots at close range.
3. The Autopsy: Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor confirmed that Dr Mutiso died from severe blood loss caused by three gunshot wounds, including two to the head.
4. Detectives continue to pursue multiple leads to uncover the full motive behind what investigators describe as a well-coordinated assassination.

For more, click HERE to join our WhatsApp Channel!