Each of the men linked to the killing of renowned clinical psychologist and mental health researcher Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso was promised Sh100,000.
The money had not been paid by the time the suspects were arrested, investigators revealed.
One police officer, a bodaboda rider and a key link in the murder have been arrested.
A motorcycle, a four wheel drive car and police pistol used in the murder were recovered.
Detectives have revealed the planners of the murder wanted to sell some property including cars to raise Sh1.5 million to pay the fee. They were also to wait for proceeds of the sale of land at the center of the murder to get their pay.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced what it describes as a major breakthrough in the investigation into the murder.
The DCI said the murder was a carefully orchestrated contract assassination linked to a long-running land dispute and executed with the involvement of rogue police officers.
Speaking during a detailed briefing, DCI Director Mohamed Amin said the investigation had established a chain of planning, financing, surveillance and execution that culminated in the fatal shooting of Dr Mutiso in Upper Hill on July 29, 2026.
According to the DCI, the killing was carried out with military-style precision, but investigators responded with an equally intensive operation grounded in forensic science, intelligence gathering, digital evidence and inter-agency collaboration.
Investigators said Dr Mutiso had requested an Uber ride on the morning of July 29 from her residence at Tanga Heights Apartments on Bamboo Lane off Riara Road. She was headed to the Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health located at Mawensi Garden off Matumbato Road in Upper Hill.
Her driver, Victor Job Chunguli, told detectives that at approximately 9:23 a.m., their vehicle encountered a black Toyota Prado that had partially blocked the road in the Mawensi area.
As he slowed down, gunshots rang out from the rear left side of the vehicle where Dr Mutiso was seated.
The driver said he saw a man armed with a pistol firing directly at his passenger. He accelerated past the obstruction and drove straight to Kenyatta National Hospital in an attempt to save her life.
Dr Mutiso was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A post-mortem examination established that she had sustained three gunshot wounds.
Homicide bureau takes over investigation
The DCI said officers from the local command responded immediately to both the crime scene and the hospital.
On the same day, the investigation was transferred from DCI Kilimani to the Homicide Investigations Bureau, supported by forensic experts from the National Police Forensic Laboratory, the Criminal Research and Intelligence Bureau and other specialised investigative units.
Detectives recovered two spent cartridges from the scene, while a bullet head was later retrieved during the post-mortem examination.
All exhibits were submitted to the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory for ballistic and forensic analysis.
Amin said the investigation immediately shifted into an intelligence-led and forensic-led operation involving CCTV analysis, vehicle tracking, digital evidence examination and coordinated surveillance activities.
CCTV and tracking data lead detectives to key suspects
The DCI said forensic analysis and CCTV examination quickly identified two individuals believed to have played central roles in the operation including Daniel Mwangi Njoroge and Kelvin Ngugi Kinuthia.
They were arrested.
Investigators allege that Njoroge served as a principal organiser of the operation.
He is accused of driving a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado registration KDH 600A, which was allegedly used to block the Uber vehicle moments before the shooting.
Detectives say he coordinated logistics, facilitated the movement of the execution team and played a key organisational role in the conspiracy.
The investigation identified two Toyota Prado vehicles used during the operation: KDE 400W and KDH 600A.
According to the DCI, the registered owner confirmed that both vehicles had been hired to Njoroge on July 27, 2026, and returned on July 30, 2026, a day after the murder.
Tracking data allegedly placed both vehicles at the scene during the time of the attack.
Kinuthia has been identified as the motorcycle rider who allegedly ferried the gunman to the scene.
The motorcycle, registration KMGZ 780D, has since been impounded, and investigators say forensic evidence places Kinuthia at the crime scene.
DCI alleges involvement of serving police officers
One of the most explosive revelations made by the DCI concerns the alleged involvement of serving police officers in the murder plot.
Amin said evidence obtained during the interrogation of Njoroge and Kinuthia led investigators to officers attached to police posts under Kikuyu Police Station.
The DCI identified Inspector of Police Kenneth Kipkemboi Sang, the Officer-in-Charge of Nderi Police Post in Kikuyu as the alleged link between the financiers and the operational team.
Investigators further allege that Sang was the source of the murder weapon.
He is currently on the run. He was last seen in Kuresoi area, Nakuru County.
The DCI also announced the arrest of Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, attached to Karinde Police Post, whom investigators identify as the alleged shooter.
Another officer, constable Bett Kiplangat Collins of Thogoto Police Post, has been forensically placed at the scene and is also being sought by detectives.
Amin described the alleged involvement of police officers as a grave betrayal of public trust and vowed that the Directorate would pursue all suspects regardless of rank or position.
Murder weapon traced to police armoury
Investigators later visited Nderi Police Post, where they inspected the station armoury.
According to the DCI, they recovered a Mini Jericho pistol, together with a magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The firearm was found among other station weapons.
A review of the station’s Arms Movement Register allegedly showed that the pistol had been issued to IP Sang.
The weapon was subjected to comprehensive ballistic examination.
Amin said forensic experts positively matched the pistol to the fatal shooting of Dr Mutiso.
The spent cartridges recovered from the scene and the bullet recovered from her body were found to match test-fired specimens from the firearm.
“This firearm has been positively identified as the murder weapon used in the fatal shooting of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso,” the DCI said.
Land dispute emerges as alleged motive
The DCI said investigators have established that the alleged motive for the killing was a long-standing dispute over ownership and control of a parcel of land in Mlolongo, Athi River Sub-County.
The dispute is the subject of Civil Suit No. ELC/E111/2025, filed at the Machakos Law Courts by Rose Mbithe Mulwa.
According to investigators, Dr Mutiso had placed a caveat on Land Parcel IR No. 1504/13, an action that was allegedly viewed as a direct threat to the interests of parties involved in the property dispute.
The matter is also under investigation by DCI Mlolongo under Inquiry No. 14/2026.
The DCI noted that Rose Mbithe Mulwa is the former wife of Dr Mutiso’s husband, Prof. David Musyimi Ndetei.
The couple divorced in 2001.
Investigators now allege that Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her son Christopher Mulwa were the principal organisers and financiers of the conspiracy.
According to the DCI, evidence gathered points to their central role in conceptualising, directing and facilitating the operation that resulted in Dr Mutiso’s death.
On July 31, 2026, the DCI, through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, obtained court orders allowing the continued detention of the two suspects for 21 days to enable investigators to complete critical inquiries.
Earlier attempt on her life
The investigation has also uncovered evidence that Dr Mutiso had previously reported threats to her life.
On July 7, 2026, she allegedly encountered two unknown men on a motorcycle along Ngong Road near Junction Mall, who pointed a gun at her and attempted to shoot her.
She escaped and reported the incident at Kilimani Police Station.
She was referred to Riruta Police Station for further action but did not make a subsequent report there.
Detectives are now examining whether that incident was an earlier failed attempt to eliminate her.
Possible link to another high-profile shooting
Amin disclosed that investigators are pursuing additional leads suggesting that some of the suspects involved in Dr Mutiso’s murder may also be connected to the drive-by shooting of lawyer Kyalo Mbobu, which occurred on September 9, 2025, along Magadi Road.
He said the investigation remains active and several other individuals who may have acted as surveillance operatives, facilitators, weapon suppliers or coordinators are still being pursued.
“The investigations remain active, intelligence-led and forensic-led. Several additional leads are being pursued,” he said.
“The DCI is determined to identify, arrest and bring to justice every person who played any role — whether as financier, organiser, supplier of the firearm, shooter, rider, surveillance operative or facilitator.”
DCI vows full accountability
In a strongly worded statement, Amin said the Directorate would not be intimidated by the status, influence or official position of any suspect.
“No one — regardless of status, uniform or influence — is above the law,” he said.
“Those who participated in this crime, those who supplied the weapon, those who financed it, those who coordinated it, and those who have attempted to obstruct or mislead investigators will be held to account.”
He appealed to members of the public to provide any information that could assist the investigation, assuring that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
Addressing Dr Mutiso’s family, the DCI Director said the full investigative machinery of the Republic had been deployed to pursue justice.
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