- Rigathi Gachagua says DCI officers should visit his home if they want a statement in the Dr Victoria Mutiso murder investigation.
- He stated that he is willing to cooperate but will not report to DCI headquarters or a police station.
- DCI Director Mohamed Amin alleged that Gachagua communicated with individuals linked to the killing.
- Investigators say some suspects had attempted to flee before they were arrested.
- Dr Victoria Mutiso was shot dead in Nairobi on July 29 while travelling in an Uber vehicle.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he is prepared to cooperate with detectives investigating the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso, but insisted that officers should visit his home if they require a statement from him. He maintained that he would not present himself at DCI headquarters or any police station.
Gachagua made the remarks on Friday while opening a Democratic Congress Party office in Kiambu County. His comments came shortly after DCI Director Mohamed Amin alleged that detectives had established communication between Gachagua and individuals linked to the murder investigation.
Addressing supporters in Kiambu, Gachagua questioned why detectives could not record his statement at his residence if they believed he had communicated with suspects.
He said investigators were free to come to his home and take a statement regarding the alleged telephone calls. Gachagua added that he was not refusing to cooperate with the investigation, but objected to being summoned to DCI offices.
The former deputy president also referred to his previous office and argued that he had moved beyond the level of ordinary political actors. He reiterated that he would provide any statement required, but only from his residence.
Earlier on Friday, DCI Director Mohamed Amin said detectives had uncovered communication between Gachagua and one of the suspects arrested in connection with Dr Mutiso’s killing.
Amin further alleged that Gachagua had also communicated with a boda boda rider whom investigators believe may have been involved in the operation. The DCI director questioned why a politician would interfere with an ongoing investigation.
According to Amin, some of the suspects arrested by detectives had been attempting to flee the country before they were apprehended near the border.
The allegations have added a new political dimension to the murder investigation. However, the DCI has not publicly identified Gachagua as a suspect in the killing.
Legal analysts note that investigators may seek statements from individuals who are not suspects if they believe those statements could assist an inquiry. Under Kenyan law, detectives can invite witnesses or persons of interest to record statements as part of ongoing investigations.
Dr Victoria Mutiso, a former director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health, was shot dead on July 29 while travelling in an Uber vehicle in Nairobi.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicle encountered a black Toyota Prado that had partially blocked the road before a gunman opened fire. She was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The DCI has intensified efforts to establish the motive behind the killing, identify everyone involved and reconstruct the events leading to the shooting. Investigators are also reviewing forensic evidence, witness accounts and communication records.
The agency has appealed to members of the public with any information related to the case to come forward and assist detectives as the investigation continues.
