2 Suspects Held in Uganda as Third Is Arrested in Nairobi Over Dr. Mutiso Murder

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced a major breakthrough in investigations into the murder of Dr. Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, with three additional suspects arrested in a coordinated operation spanning Nairobi and Kampala.

In a statement on Sunday, August 30, the agency the suspects include a police constable and a civilian who were arrested in Kampala with the assistance of the Uganda Police Force, as well as another suspect who was intercepted in Nairobi. 

The arrests followed forensic analysis by a specialised investigative team drawn from the DCI Headquarters' Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), Operations Directorate and Homicide Bureau.

Acting on the forensic findings, detectives travelled to Kyanja Heights flats in Nakawa, Kampala, where they arrested two suspects who had allegedly fled to Uganda after the murder.

"The National Police Service (NPS) acknowledges the professional support of the Uganda Police Force, whose cooperation made the raid, arrests and secure detention possible. The two suspects are held at Jinja Road Police Station pending an escorted return to Nairobi," the statement read.

The two suspects arrested in Uganda have been identified as Police Constable Bett Kiplangat Collins, number 118491, who is attached to Thogoto Police Station, and Pius Muiru Mbugua, a civilian.

The DCI also confirmed the arrest of a third suspect, Samuel Karanja Gathoni, also known as 'Lawyer', in Nairobi as he travelled towards Ongata Rongai.

"Earlier, the same investigation team intercepted a third suspect, Samuel Karanja Gathoni, also known as “Lawyer”, within the Langata Multi-Media area as he headed towards Ongata Rongai," the statement added.

Investigators have linked PC Bett to the surveillance phase of the operation and alleged that he acted as the co-driver of Daniel Mwangi Njoroge, whom detectives have identified as a central organiser of the operation.

"Investigations have established that PC Bett was tasked with surveillance and served as co-driver to Daniel Mwangi Njoroge, a central organiser of the operation and driver of the Land Cruiser Prado registration KDH 600A.

"That vehicle was used to box in the Uber in which Dr. Mutiso was travelling on the morning of 29 July 2026 in Upper Hill, Nairobi, moments before she was fatally shot," the statement further read.

The DCI further linked Mbugua to the financial and logistical arrangements allegedly supporting the execution team, describing him as an intermediary between the alleged hit team and the person who contracted them.

"Detectives have further established that Pius Muiru Mbugua was a key link between the execution team and the person who contracted them. Mbugua served as paymaster, moving money for logistics and the movement of the hit team," the statement noted.

The DCI said the two suspects arrested in Uganda are being prepared for escorted return to Kenya, where they will be processed and arraigned in accordance with the law.

The investigative agency maintained that the suspects' movement out of the country had not brought the investigation to an end.

The DCI also thanked Dr. Mutiso's family, friends, relatives and members of the public for their patience and support throughout the investigations.

"The DCI records its sincere gratitude to the family, friends and relatives of Dr. Mutiso, and to members of the public, for the overwhelming patience and steadfast support they have extended to detectives. That confidence made these investigations possible at a time when some political actors, hungry for cheap political mileage, chose to flood the airwaves with reckless, inflammatory and unsubstantiated claims," the statement added.

The DCI dismissed claims that suspects had previously been arrested and released or that security officials had helped them escape, saying the allegations were intended to undermine the investigation and public confidence in detectives.

"They peddled propaganda and rumour that the suspects had been arrested and quietly released, and that security officials had facilitated their escape. Those assertions were false. They were calculated to smear the investigation, shake public trust and cast detectives as accomplices rather than pursuers. Yesterday’s arrests, effected in Kampala are the factual answer to that noise," the statement concluded.

Elsewhere, the High Court in Nairobi has granted four suspects accused of murdering Mutiso 14 days to undergo mental assessment before they are required to take plea in the case.

In a statement on Thursday, August 27, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that the suspects are politician Rose Mbithe, her daughter Angela Mulwa, her son Chris Mulwa and Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi. 

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved murder charges against the four following the conclusion of preliminary investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) into Mutiso’s death.

According to the ODPP, the court order requires the suspects to undergo mental assessment before the plea-taking stage.

"The court order allows the suspects to undergo mental assessment before they are required to take plea in the murder case as per the law," the statement read.

The ODPP said the court has also issued directions on where the four suspects will be held as they await the next stage of the proceedings.

"Further, the court has directed that Chris Mulwa and Police Constable Kibelion be remanded at the Nairobi Remand, while Mbithe and her daughter Angela will be held at Langata Women’s Prison," the statement added.

The case will be mentioned before Justice Alexander Muteti on September 23 when the four suspects are expected to take plea.