The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced a major breakthrough in the investigation into the fatal shooting of renowned psychologist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, confirming that two persons of interest are in custody as detectives intensify efforts to unravel the high-profile killing.
In an update issued on Thursday, July 30, the DCI revealed that homicide detectives, working alongside specialised forensic teams, had made significant progress since taking over the probe into the shooting, which occurred in Nairobi's Upper Hill on July 29.
According to the agency, investigators have pursued multiple leads through witness interviews, forensic examinations and targeted operations aimed at piecing together the circumstances surrounding the killing.
As part of the investigation, detectives conducted searches at premises linked to persons of interest, recovering several exhibits believed to be crucial to the case.
"The operations resulted in the recovery of exhibits considered relevant to the investigation, which are currently undergoing detailed forensic analysis," the DCI stated.
The agency also confirmed that the two persons of interest are being held in lawful custody and are currently undergoing interrogation.
"The DCI further confirms that two persons of interest are in lawful custody and are undergoing interrogation as part of ongoing investigations," the statement read.
Authorities, however, declined to disclose the identities of the suspects, stating that doing so at this stage could compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigations.
The DCI added that detectives were continuing to analyse the recovered exhibits while pursuing other critical investigative leads to establish the full circumstances surrounding Dr Mutiso's death.
"The DCI remains firmly committed to conducting a thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and ensure that any person found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law," the agency said.
The investigative agency also extended its condolences to Dr Mutiso's family and thanked members of the public for their cooperation, urging anyone with information that could assist the investigation to report to the nearest police station or anonymously through its #FichuaKwaDCI platform.
Preliminary reports had indicated that Dr Mutiso was shot dead after armed assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire on the taxi she was travelling in along a road in Nairobi's Upper Hill.
According to eyewitnesses, another vehicle intercepted the taxi moments before the attackers struck, spraying the vehicle with bullets and killing the renowned psychologist on the spot in what appeared to be a targeted attack.
Dr Mutiso was a respected clinical psychologist and mental health researcher who served as the Head of Research at the Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation (AMHRTF), where she specialised in child and adolescent mental health.
She also played a key role in public health programmes aimed at young people, adapting mental health toolkits for marginalised urban and rural communities across Kenya.
In addition, she co-led the NIHR-funded HOPE Project on homelessness and severe mental illness and co-authored Your A-Z on Mental Health alongside Professor David Ndetei.
