Kenya: Two Suspects Held in Uganda, Third Arrested in Nairobi Over Dr Mutiso Murder

What the report says

Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations says it has made new arrests in the killing of clinical psychologist and mental health researcher Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, in a case that has now extended into Uganda. According to Capital FM’s report republished by AllAfrica, two suspects were detained in Kampala and a third was arrested in Nairobi, with investigators saying the actions were based on forensic work by a specialised DCI team.

The suspects named in the report are police constable Bett Kiplangat Collins and civilian Pius Muiru Mbugua, who were held at a flat in Kampala’s Nakawa area with help from the Uganda Police Force, and Samuel Karanja Gathoni, also known as “Lawyer,” who was intercepted in Nairobi’s Langata area. The DCI alleges the men formed part of a wider network tied to the July 29, 2026 shooting of Dr Mutiso in Nairobi’s Upper Hill area, including surveillance, logistics and financing roles.

Investigators say Dr Mutiso was killed while travelling in an Uber to work, after the vehicle was reportedly blocked and shots were fired from a nearby car. The report says the case has been reconstructed using CCTV, vehicle tracking, digital evidence and ballistic analysis. It also notes that detectives are examining possible links to earlier threats against Dr Mutiso and to a separate land dispute in Mlolongo, Athi River, while emphasizing that any motive remains for the courts to determine.

The DCI says the latest arrests are a significant step, but the investigation remains active and the suspects arrested in Uganda are expected to be returned to Kenya for further legal processing.