Victoria Mutiso Murder Probe Widens as DCI Arrests Police Officer in Uganda
The latest arrests have put fresh focus on the alleged surveillance, coordination and financing behind the killing of clinical psychologist Dr Victoria Mutiso.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested three additional suspects in connection with the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso, including a police officer who investigators allege played a surveillance and driving role in the operation.
Two of the suspects were arrested in Kampala, Uganda, following a coordinated operation involving Kenyan detectives and the Uganda Police Force, while another suspect was intercepted in Nairobi.
The DCI said on Sunday, August 30, that the two suspects arrested in Uganda had illegally entered the country after the murder.
DCI arrests police officer in Kampala
The police officer was identified as Police Constable Bett Kiplangat Collins, who is attached to Thogoto Police Station.
Detectives, with assistance from the Uganda Police Force, arrested PC Bett and a civilian suspect at Kyanja Heights flats in the Nakawa suburb of Kampala.
“Acting on forensic analysis, the team proceeded to Kyanja Heights flats in the Nakawa suburb of Kampala. With the assistance of the Uganda Police Force, they arrested two suspects who had illegally sneaked into Uganda after the murder,” DCI stated.
According to investigators, PC Bett had flown from Kenya to Uganda and had remained out of reach as detectives intensified efforts to trace and arrest him.
The two suspects are being held at Jinja Road Police Station in Kampala pending their escorted return to Kenya.
PC Bett allegedly played surveillance role
Investigators allege that PC Bett was involved in surveillance during the operation and also served as the co-driver to Daniel Mwangi Njoroge, whom the DCI has described as a central organiser.
Njoroge is alleged to have driven the Land Cruiser Prado registration KDH 600A that investigators have linked to 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.,” DCI added.
The allegations place the police officer among the suspects investigators believe were involved in the planning and execution of the operation that resulted in Dr Mutiso’s death.
Suspect allegedly acted as paymaster
The civilian suspect arrested alongside PC Bett is also alleged to have played a key role in the wider operation.
According to detectives, he acted as a link between the alleged execution team and the person who contracted them.
Investigators allege that the suspect served as a paymaster, moving money to facilitate logistics and the movement of the alleged hit team.
The allegations have added a financial dimension to the investigation, as detectives continue to establish how the alleged operation was planned, coordinated and funded.
Another suspect arrested in Nairobi
In a separate operation in Nairobi, detectives intercepted another suspect in the Langata Multi-Media area.
The suspect was arrested while heading towards Ongata Rongai, according to the DCI.
The arrest forms part of the latest phase of investigations into the circumstances surrounding Dr Mutiso’s killing and the people allegedly involved in the operation.
The DCI said detectives were continuing to pursue other leads.
DCI denies suspects were released
The latest arrests also came as the DCI dismissed claims that some suspects had previously been arrested and quietly released.
The agency also rejected allegations that security officials had facilitated the escape of suspects linked to the investigation.
The clarification comes as detectives widen their probe into the alleged network behind the killing.
Two police officers now linked to the murder
The arrest of PC Bett brings the number of police officers arrested in connection with Dr Mutiso’s murder to two.
Another officer, whom investigators have identified as the primary suspect who allegedly fired the fatal shots, had already been apprehended and arraigned in court.
The latest arrest therefore adds fresh scrutiny to the alleged involvement of police officers in the killing.
How Dr Victoria Mutiso was killed
Dr Victoria Mutiso, a prominent clinical psychologist, was killed in Nairobi on July 29 after her taxi was ambushed at a road junction.
According to the investigation, armed attackers approached on a motorcycle and in a vehicle before a gunman opened fire.
Dr Mutiso was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards.
Investigators have since linked the killing to a long-running land dispute.
Land dispute alleged to be motive
Detectives allege that the murder was orchestrated by relatives of Dr Mutiso’s husband, who allegedly hired hitmen to carry out the killing.
The investigation further alleges that police officers were among those hired and that service firearms were used in the operation.
Investigators also allege that a partial payment was made before the fatal attack.
The latest arrests have now placed greater emphasis on the alleged planning, surveillance, coordination and financing of the operation as detectives continue working to establish the full chain of events surrounding Dr Mutiso’s death.
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