Renowned Mental Health Researcher Dr Victoria Mutiso Shot Dead in Nairobi Attack
Renowned Kenyan clinical psychologist and mental health researcher Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso has died after being shot by armed assailants in a suspected targeted attack near Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi.
According to preliminary police reports, Dr Mutiso was travelling in a taxi on Wednesday morning when the vehicle was intercepted by another car. Moments later, two gunmen riding on a motorcycle reportedly approached and opened fire, fatally injuring her before fleeing the scene.
She was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment but later succumbed to her injuries.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a murder investigation, with homicide detectives and forensic experts examining the scene and reviewing available evidence to establish the motive behind the killing. Police recovered spent ammunition at the scene and have begun tracing the attackers.
Investigators believe the shooting may have been a targeted attack. Reports indicate that Dr Mutiso had previously raised concerns over threats to her safety after allegedly being confronted by armed individuals in an earlier incident, which had been reported to the police.
Dr Mutiso was widely respected in Kenya and internationally for her contribution to mental health research. She served as the Head of Research at the Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation (AMHRTF), where she led several studies focusing on child and adolescent mental health, substance abuse, community mental health and other public health issues.
Her death has sent shockwaves through the medical and research community, with colleagues and stakeholders mourning the loss of a distinguished scholar whose work helped shape mental health policy and practice in Kenya.
Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist in identifying the attackers to come forward as investigations continue.
