Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told detectives investigating the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso to visit his residence if they want his statement, saying he will not go to a police station or DCI headquarters.
Gachagua made the remarks in Kiambu on Friday as he opened a Democratic Congress Party (DCP) office, responding to allegations by DCI director Mohamed Amin that he had communicated with people connected to the killing.
The former Deputy President said he was prepared to assist investigators with any information in his possession but maintained that detectives should come to him rather than require him to appear at their offices.
“Kama unasema kuna watu walinipigia simu, si ukuje kwangu uandike taarifa?” Gachagua asked.
He was responding to claims that he had received calls from individuals being investigated over Mutiso’s death and said he had nothing to hide if detectives wanted to establish what the conversations were about.
“Come and write a statement kwa sababu mimi siwezi kuja DCI, siwezi enda kwa polisi,” he said.
Gachagua further pointed to his former position as Deputy President, saying he should not be treated like an ordinary political figure.
“Mimi nimepita hiyo kiwango, mimi niko kiwango ya Rais. So wewe kama kuna walinipigia simu, kuja niandike statement kwangu. I will write,” he said.
His remarks followed a statement by Amin that detectives had found communication between Gachagua and individuals they were pursuing in connection with the murder.
“Gachagua was in communication with one of the suspects in the Dr Mutiso murder. Gachagua was also in communication with the boda boda rider,” Amin said.
Amin also disclosed that detectives had arrested suspects who were allegedly trying to leave the country.
“Suspects we arrested last evening were on the run almost crossing the border. Why would a politician want to bangle our investigations?” Amin asked.
The DCI director's comments did not identify Gachagua as a suspect in Mutiso’s killing but placed his alleged communication with people linked to the case at the centre of the latest exchange.
Mutiso, who previously served as director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health, was killed on July 29 while travelling in an Uber vehicle in Nairobi.
Investigators said preliminary findings showed that a black Toyota Prado had partly blocked the vehicle before a gunman opened fire.
Mutiso was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital following the shooting but was pronounced dead.
Detectives have continued with the investigation, following several leads as they seek to establish the motive for the killing, identify everyone involved and piece together the events surrounding the shooting.
The DCI has also called on anyone with information that could help detectives to share it with investigators.
Gachagua has maintained that he is willing to give detectives any information he may have about the case, but insists that officers must record his statement at his residence.
The latest exchange comes as investigators face increased public interest in the case and continue efforts to establish the full circumstances behind Mutiso’s death and bring those responsible to justice.