DPP approves murder charges against fifth suspect in Dr Mutiso gruesome murder

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved murder charges against Kimutai Maritim, making him the fifth suspect to be formally charged over the killing of psychiatrist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso.

Maritim will face the charges alongside Rose Mbithe Mulwa, her daughter Angela Mulwa, her son Chris Mulwa and Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi.

The five suspects are scheduled to appear before the High Court in Nairobi on September 29, 2026, to take plea following a directive by Justice Alexander Muteti.

Justice Muteti ordered that the suspects be presented physically in court after Mbithe and Angela failed to participate in today’s Wednesday, September 23, 2026 proceedings through a virtual link from Lang’ata Women’s Prison, where they are being held.

A prison officer informed the court: “My lord, the two have refused to appear before court virtually.”

The judge subsequently directed that Mbithe, Angela and Chris be brought to court at noon on September 29 for plea-taking.

Their plea had earlier been delayed after Justice Kanyi Kimondo directed that the accused persons undergo psychiatric assessments to establish whether they were mentally fit to plead to the murder charges.

The latest development clears the way for the prosecution to formally commence proceedings against the suspects, who had previously been presented before the High Court but had not entered pleas.

Maritim was arrested on August 22, 2026, after allegedly attempting to visit suspects detained at Pangani Police Station.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) investigators reportedly intercepted him while he was allegedly trying to deliver a loaf of bread and a packet of milk to detainees.

During earlier proceedings, investigators told the court that Maritim was allegedly linked to the planning of the offence and could assist authorities in tracing other suspects who remain at large.

The prosecution has also indicated that the case files involving the accused will be consolidated to enable all suspects facing charges arising from Dr Mutiso’s death to take plea together.

Three other suspects arrested in Uganda are expected back before court on October 1, 2026.

They are Police Constable Collins Bett Kilangat, Pius Muiruri Mbugua and Samuel Karanja Gathoni, who were arrested on August 29, 2026 at Kyanja Heights Flats in Nakawa, Kampala, before being returned to Kenya.

The trio have been detained for 30 days to allow investigators to complete their investigations.

The prosecution is being led by counsels Jalson Makori and Pauline Muthuri.

The five suspects now facing the murder proceedings are accused of jointly killing Dr Mutiso on July 29, 2026, at about 9.30am along Mawensi Road in Kilimani, Nairobi County, together with other persons who have not been brought before the court.

They face a charge of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.

Dr Mutiso, a psychiatrist and former director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health, was fatally shot while travelling in a taxi in Nairobi.

Before her death, she had reportedly reported an earlier incident in which two armed men riding a motorcycle allegedly confronted her near Junction Mall along Ngong Road.

Investigators have also examined a long-running property dispute involving Dr Mutiso’s family and Mbithe, who was previously married to Dr Mutiso’s husband, Professor David Musyimi Ndetei.

The alleged property dispute has featured in the prosecution’s account of the circumstances surrounding the investigation.

However, the murder allegations against all the accused remain allegations until proved in court.

With Justice Muteti directed that the five suspects; Mbithe, Angela, Chris, Kimoi and Maritim to appear physically before court on September 29, 2026 for plea taking.