Investigators have identified a Police constable as the suspect who pulled the trigger in the gangland-style shooting of Dr Victoria Mutiso last week with a civilian named as one of the masterminds.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Friday said that the constable, who has since been arrested, used a police-issue pistol to shoot Dr Mutiso dead, and that two other police officers linked to the murder are on the run.
The DCI alleged that the civilian was hired by politician Rose Mbithe Mulwa and her son Christopher Mulwa, with the supposed motive being a protracted family feud over a 20-acre land in Mlolongo, Machakos County.
The Jericho Pistol used in the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso on August 07, 2026 at the DCI headquarters.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
Ms Mulwa has since 2001 been fighting her ex-husband Dr David Musyimi Ndetei and his wife Dr Mutiso for the land.
DCI head Mohamed Amin alleged that the civilian hired two Toyota Prados for the execution, and worked with a boda boda rider who allegedly ferried the suspected gunman to and from the scene in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
Rose Mulwa and her son Chris Mulwa at the Milimani Law Courts on August 3, 2026. They are persons of interest in the fatal shooting of Dr Victoria Mutiso.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Dr Mutiso was in an taxi driven by Victor Job Chunguli on July 29. When they approached the Mawensi area of Upper Hill, a black Toyota Prado blocked the taxi, and a motorcycle stopped next to them.
The pillion passenger shot at Dr Mutiso multiple times, with the motorcycle and the Prado fleeing immediately after. Mr Chunguli drove to the Kenyatta National Hospital, where Dr Mutiso was pronounced dead on arrival.
DCI boss Amin said that upon interrogation, the rider and the alleged mastermind, led detectives to a police inspector and two constables. One of the officers has been arrested while the other two are on the run.
“The involvement of these rogue officers represents a grave betrayal of the uniform and the public trust. The Directorate will pursue them with the full force of the law,” Mr Amin added in his statement.
Mr Amin in his address alleged that utterances on the investigation by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua could have tipped off the two suspects to flee.
One of the two vehicles and the motorcycle that were used in the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso on August 07, 2026 at the DCI headquarters.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
Mr Gachagua had earlier claimed that police officers were linked to Dr Mutiso’s murder, attributing his allegations to “reliable intelligence”.
The gun used in Dr Mutiso’s murder, the DCI said, was a police-issue Mini Jericho pistol attached to Nderi police post which is under Kikuyu police station.
“Investigators visited Nderi police post. Upon inspection of the armoury steel box, a Mini Jericho pistol, serial number KP47302127, together with a magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition, was recovered among other station firearms. Scrutiny of the arms movement register established that the firearm had been issued (to the inspector who is now a suspect),” the DCI said in a statement on Friday.
Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Mohamed Amin (right) briefs media on August 7, 2026 at the DCI headquarters on the vehicles used in the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso and the progress of the investigations.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation
“The firearm was immediately subjected to comprehensive ballistic examination at the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory. The ballistic report has positively identified this Mini Jericho pistol as the murder weapon used in the fatal shooting of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso. The spent cartridges recovered from the scene and the bullet head recovered from the body during post-mortem examination match the test-fired specimens from this firearm,” Mr Amin further said in the statement.
The attack triggered a homicide investigation, with detectives examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence and other intelligence to identify those behind the killing.
The DCI said that evidence found indicates that some of the suspects in Dr Mutiso’s murder could also have been involved in the September 9, 2025 fatal shooting of lawyer Mr Mbobu.
Mr Mbobu was also shot by a motorcycle pillion passenger. The incident occurred along Magadi Road as the lawyer drove home.
