DCI boss Mohamed Amin addressing the media on the progress of investigations into the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso at DCI headquarters, Kiambu Road, August 7, 2026. /HANDOUTRigorous, intelligence-led forensic investigations have linked the murder of mental health researcher Dr Victoria Mutiso to what the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) describes as a long-running family land dispute.
DCI director Mohamed Amin disclosed the findings on Friday while providing an update on the progress of investigations into the fatal shooting of the psychiatrist on July 29.
According to Amin, investigators believe the killing was motivated by a long-standing land dispute that is the subject of a civil case before the Machakos Law Courts.
"Investigators have established that the elimination of Dr Victoria Mutiso was driven by a long-standing land dispute in a civil suit before the Machakos Law Courts," he said.
Amin said the civil case was filed by a person under investigation in connection with the murder inquiry.
He said Dr Mutiso had placed a caveat on the disputed parcel of land in Athi River subcounty, a move investigators believe may have triggered the alleged murder conspiracy.
"That action was perceived as a direct threat to the interests of certain parties involved in the ownership and control of the property," he said.
Amin said preliminary investigations suggest that key persons of interest may have played a central role in planning and financing the alleged conspiracy.
"The evidence gathered points to their central role in conceptualising, indirectly facilitating and financing the operation that culminated in the unfortunate shooting of Dr Mutiso," Amin said.
According to the DCI, investigations have also established that the fatal shots were allegedly fired by a police officer using a police-issued Jericho pistol.
Amin said an officer believed to have pulled the trigger has since been arrested. Another officer, who investigators believe may have driven the getaway vehicle, remains at large.
The DCI said both officers were attached to the same subcounty at the time of the incident.
Amin said a boda boda rider who allegedly ferried the suspected shooter has also been arrested, and his motorcycle impounded as investigations into the murder continue.
On the morning of July 29, Dr Mutiso was travelling to work in an online-hail taxi shortly after 9 am when the vehicle encountered a black Toyota Prado that had partially blocked the road in the Kilimani area.
The taxi driver told investigators he slowed down before seeing a person seated at the left rear window of the Prado open fire.
Three bullets struck Dr Mutiso. Amin said the driver immediately sped away from the scene and rushed Dr Mutiso to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.
She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Investigations into the murder remain ongoing.
