RIP: Victoria Mutiso Last Request Moments Before Her Fatal Shooting in Upper Hill
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has launched investigations into the fatal shooting of clinical psychologist and mental health researcher Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, who was killed on Wednesday morning in Nairobi's Upper Hill area.
In a statement, the DCI said homicide detectives, assisted by forensic experts, are leading investigations to establish what happened and identify those behind the killing.
According to the agency, police officers and Crime Scene Investigation detectives responded immediately after the incident was reported.
The team secured the scene, collected forensic evidence for analysis and interviewed witnesses who may help piece together the events leading to the shooting.
Investigators also visited the hospital where Mutiso was taken after the attack.
"The DCI conveys its deepest condolences to the family, relatives and loved ones of the deceased during this profoundly difficult time. We stand in solidarity with them in their grief and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to conducting a thorough, impartial and professional investigation aimed at establishing the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and bringing those responsible to justice," the statement said.
Preliminary findings indicate that Mutiso had requested an Uber ride shortly before she suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Detectives say the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under active investigation.
The DCI said officers are following several investigative leads, including tracking down persons of interest, as they work to reconstruct the victim's final movements and determine the motive behind the attack.
"The DCI remains committed to conducting a thorough, impartial and expeditious investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident," the agency added.
Police have appealed to members of the public to avoid spreading speculation or unverified information that could interfere with investigations. Anyone with information that may assist detectives has been urged to report to the nearest police station or share details anonymously through the #FichuaKwaDCI platform.
Earlier, Nairobi police commander Issa Mohamud described the incident as a suspected targeted killing and confirmed that Mutiso was shot while travelling in a taxi in Upper Hill.
Mutiso served as the Head of Research at the Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation. She was widely respected for her work in child and adolescent mental health, substance abuse, community mental health and the development of culturally appropriate mental health interventions.
Her research focused on improving access to mental health services for underserved communities, especially young people living in informal settlements and rural areas.
She also led and supported several local and international research projects, including Project HOPE, which focuses on homeless people living with severe mental illness in Africa.
The DCI said it will continue updating the public on major developments in the case as investigations progress.
