The killing of clinical psychologist Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso has taken a new turn after investigators uncovered fresh leads pointing to longstanding personal rivalries, deepening the mystery surrounding her fatal shooting in Nairobi.
Dr Mutiso, a respected mental health researcher, was gunned down in broad daylight in Upper Hill on July 29 in what police believe was a well-planned and targeted attack.
Detectives say the execution bore the hallmarks of a professional hit, with gunmen intercepting her vehicle and firing at close range before fleeing the scene.
As the investigation gathers pace, authorities are now retracing a complex trail that stretches back more than two decades.
Sources close to the probe indicate that detectives are examining a history of disputes linked to a bitter separation, protracted court battles, and a contested property row that may have placed the psychologist at the centre of a long-running conflict.
The probe has further widened following indications that individuals connected to the dispute may also have links to a past high-profile killing.
Investigators are working to establish whether the two incidents are connected or if the similarities are coincidental, a development that has added a new layer of intrigue to the case.
Police have already arrested two suspects believed to have played a role in the killing, and interrogations are ongoing.
Forensic teams are also analysing ballistic evidence and reviewing surveillance footage from the area to reconstruct the final moments leading to her death.
Authorities have not ruled out any motive, but the focus on past rivalries and personal disputes suggests the killing may have been driven by more than a random act of violence.
Detectives are also reviewing earlier reports of threats made against Dr Mutiso, raising questions about whether warning signs may have been missed.
Beyond the investigation, her death has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s mental health and academic community.
Colleagues have described her as a dedicated researcher who championed access to mental health care, particularly for vulnerable populations.