Court Orders Mental Checks for dr mutiso Murder Suspects
Four suspects linked to the killing of psychiatrist Victoria Nthunya Mutiso must undergo psychiatric evaluation before facing formal charges.
The High Court directed Rose Mbithe, her children Angela Mulwa and Chris Mulwa, and police officer Elijah Kibelion to complete 14-day assessments at Mbagathi Hospital. Justice Kanyi Kimondo issued the order to establish whether the accused are mentally fit to stand trial.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated an intention to charge the four with the murder of Mutiso, who was killed in Kilimani, Nairobi. However, the judge instructed the suspects not to respond to the accusations until the psychiatric reports are ready. This precaution ensures that any plea is entered only after their mental capacity has been properly determined.
The court scheduled September 23, 2026, as the next mention date, when the four are expected to appear before Magistrate Alexander Muteti and formally answer the charges if found fit to plead. In the meantime they will remain in custody. Rose Mbithe and Angela Mulwa were ordered held at Lang’ata Women’s Prison, while Chris Mulwa and Elijah Kibelion were directed to Nairobi Remand Prison.
Lawyers for the two women had asked that their clients stay at a police station while a related civil dispute over contested property proceeds. The judge declined that request. Separately, the court ordered that Kibelion be provided with a pro bono lawyer to represent him throughout the murder proceedings.
The assessments and subsequent plea-taking form the next procedural steps in a case that has already drawn significant public attention. Once the psychiatric evaluations are complete, the court will decide whether the suspects can proceed to full trial, keeping the focus on both due process and the serious nature of the allegations.
