Crime city? Slain psychologist Dr Victoria Mutiso had reported that her life was in danger

Dr Victoria Mutiso, a Director of Research at Africa Institute of Mental and Brain. [Courtesy]

The fatal shooting of Dr Victoria Mutiso on Wednesday has triggered questions on whether security agencies are doing enough in the capital city.

It has emerged that Dr Mutiso, a Director of Research at Africa Institute of Mental and Brain had reported that her life was in danger, but it seems no one took her case seriously.

The cold-blooded killing joins the list of high-profile figures shot on some known choke-points in the city.

There have been cases of criminals armed with pistols terrorising residents both in leafy suburbs and the larger Eastlands. And security agencies have been criticised for shifting focus to displaying recovered items as assailants roam freely waiting for the next assignment.

In July alone, two shocking incidents where daring robbers armed with pistols, have been witnessed in the city. On July 4, robbers stormed into a joint brandishing pistols. It is reported that they arrived using motorcycles.

They ordered customers to surrender their valuables which have since been identified as six iPhones, one Samsung phone, and a laptop. Following the daring robbery, one suspect Vincent Ocheing, was gunned down on July 13 at Joska in Machakos County after a fierce shootout with detectives.

Then on July 26, 2026 robbers armed stormed into a salon in Saika along Kangundo road. In widely circulated CCTV footage, they forced victims to surrender their mobile phones and money before fleeing. It is said the victims were making contributions for their self-help group, commonly known as chama.

Similar, cases are witnessed almost daily in the city’s informal settlements.

The shooting of Dr Mutiso came hours after Nairobi police boss Issa Mohamud had just announced recovery of 4 pistols and 300 phones assuring residents that officers had arrested the situation.

“I’m pleased to announce that this operation has yielded success. A number of suspects linked to these series of organised robberies have been arrested,” the police boss said

He added: “These individuals have been positively identified as part of the coordinative criminal gang responsible for multiple recoveries,”

However, security experts have blamed police laxity, weak collection of intelligence and too many firearms in the wrong hands.

“As we head to the 2027 elections, the police are concentrating on matters politics especially in collection of intelligence as opposed to collecting intelligence to assist them in fighting crime,” said security analyst George Musamali.

Another expert Tony Muge links the rising assassinations to the question of safety and security.

“This is because the thugs have gone rampant, while the police have slept on the job,” he said.