Two suspects in the murder investigation of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso will spend four more days in custody after a Milimani court allowed detectives additional time to complete their inquiries.
Daniel Mwangi Njoroge and Kevin Ngugi Kinyuthia, listed as the second and third respondents in the case, had been due to leave custody as investigators continued pursuing several outstanding leads.
Detectives returned to court seeking more time, saying their investigation had not yet reached a stage where the suspects could be released.
Among the matters still pending are cybercrime and forensic examinations being undertaken by the National Forensic Laboratory. Investigators said the reports are necessary for further analysis and interrogation of the suspects.
Police are also awaiting information from the Financial Reporting Centre as they examine the financial trail relevant to the investigation.
The court was told that investigators had identified additional witnesses who had not yet recorded statements. Some of those witnesses are outside Nairobi, requiring detectives to travel and locate them before completing their interviews.
Investigators further expressed concern that releasing the suspects at this stage could compromise the inquiry. They cited the possibility of witnesses being interfered with and evidence being destroyed before all outstanding investigative work is completed.
The safety of the two suspects was also raised as a reason for keeping them in custody.
According to investigators, the case has attracted considerable public attention because of the circumstances surrounding Dr Mutiso’s death. They said the identities of the suspects had become known to the deceased’s family and members of the public, raising fears that their release could expose them to retaliation or mob justice.
Police argued that continued custody would therefore allow them to conclude the investigation while also protecting the suspects.
The court subsequently granted the investigators four additional days to complete the outstanding work.
