Court Orders Mental Assessment for Four Suspects in Psychiatrist’s Murder

The murder case involving the killing of psychiatrist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso has taken another turn after the Nairobi High Court ordered mental assessments for four suspects facing murder charges.

The suspects are politician Rose Mbithe Mulwa, her daughter Angela Mulwa, her son Chris Mulwa and Police Constable Elijah Kibelion Kimoi.

The court has given authorities 14 days to conduct the mental assessments before the suspects are required to take plea. The assessment is a standard step in serious criminal proceedings before an accused person is formally called upon to answer a charge.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has approved murder charges against the four following preliminary investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations into Dr Mutiso’s death.

Dr Mutiso was shot dead on July 29, 2026, in Nairobi. She was a psychiatrist and mental health researcher and had previously served as Director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health.

Her killing has attracted national attention after detectives said their investigations had uncovered what they described as a planned attack involving civilians and police officers. The DCI has alleged that Constable Kibelion was the person who shot Dr Mutiso, although those allegations will now have to be tested in court.

According to investigators, the case is linked to a long running land dispute involving property in Mlolongo, Machakos County. Dr Mutiso had reportedly lodged a caveat over the disputed property.

The DCI has also alleged that Dr Mutiso had faced threats before her death. Investigators said she had previously reported an incident in which two armed men on a motorcycle allegedly confronted her while she was driving in Nairobi. She escaped and reported the incident at Kilimani Police Station.

The investigation later led detectives to members of the Mulwa family and several police officers.

Rose Mbithe, a former Machakos gubernatorial candidate and a declared 2027 presidential aspirant, has denied involvement in the killing. She has described herself as a victim of circumstances and has disputed claims being made against her.

Her daughter Angela, a lawyer, has also denied the allegations. She was previously arrested and later released on a KSh 1 million bond in a separate matter involving allegations concerning a vehicle linked to Dr Mutiso. She was later re arrested after prosecutors confirmed that she would face the murder charge alongside her mother and brother.

The prosecution has alleged that Angela played a role in the events surrounding the killing, claims that her defence will have an opportunity to challenge once the murder case proceeds.

The DCI has separately identified Inspector Kenneth Kipkemboi Sang as a key suspect whom investigators allege acted as a link between the alleged financiers and the operational team. He has been reported as being on the run.

The court's decision to order mental assessments means the four suspects will remain in custody as preparations for the formal murder proceedings continue.

Chris Mulwa and Constable Kibelion have been ordered to be held at Nairobi Remand, while Rose Mbithe and Angela Mulwa will be held at Lang'ata Women’s Prison.

The case is expected to come before Justice Alexander Muteti on September 23, 2026, when the four suspects are expected to take plea, according to the court directions provided.

The prosecution team comprises Jalson Makori, Wangui Gichui, Pauline Muthuri, Victor Owiti, Millicent Kigira, Alex Ndiema and Steve Biko.

The case is likely to attract further attention as prosecutors present evidence linking the suspects to the killing and the defence challenges the allegations.

For now, the charges remain allegations. None of the four suspects has been convicted, and they remain innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.