'They vowed to turn me into a chokora': Ndetei's explosive testimony against ex-wife, children

Professor David Ndetei during cross examination at the Milimani Law Courts on October 21,2026. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Professor David Ndetei has sensationally told the High Court how his estranged wife and son allegedly threatened to reduce him to a street beggar, as he fiercely opposed their release on bail over the murder of his wife, Dr Victoria Mutiso.

In an emotionally charged testimony, the professor said Rose Mbithe Mulwa, alias Rose Mbithe Ndetei, and his son Chris Mulwa had repeatedly threatened him, leaving him fearing for his life.

“They told me that they will reduce me to a chokora, and indeed they evicted me at my Mlolongo home, leaving me with my late wife Mutiso with nothing in March this year” Ndetei told Milimani High Court Judge Alexander Muteti on Wednesday during a cross-examination over an affidavit opposing the release of his former wife and their two children.

“I have fear of my life because of the history of the first accused (Rose Mbithe) and my son Chris Mulwa, who have been very vocal about the threats,” he added.

The dramatic account emerged as lawyer Joel Mbaluka, representing Mbithe and her children, questioned the professor over the contents of his affidavit sworn on October 5, 2026.

Ndetei maintained that he personally signed the affidavit and stood by its contents, insisting that his fears were genuine and that the court should not release the three accused persons on bond.

The professor told the court that he had previously attempted to report the alleged threats at Mlolongo Police Station but claimed that officers declined to record his statements.

He said he was forced to escalate the matter to higher authorities before the statements were eventually recorded.

According to Ndetei, the alleged threats came before the killing of his wife, Dr Mutiso, and were among the reasons he feared for his safety and that of his family.

The proceedings took an emotional turn when Mbaluka questioned the professor about his relationship with his daughter, advocate Angela Mulwa, who is among those facing murder charges.

Despite his opposition to her release on bail, Ndetei spoke positively about her academic achievements, telling the court that she had attained the second-best KCSE performance nationally during her examination year.

He, however, insisted that her academic record did not change his position in the murder case.

“I do oppose Angela being released on bail, though she is a good girl academically; this is a murder case,” he told the court.

Ndetei explained that his praise for Angela was limited to her educational performance and should not be interpreted as support for her release in the murder of her stepmother, Mutiso.

He further maintained that he was not bitter towards his children, saying he had previously announced publicly that he had forgiven them.

His position nevertheless remained unchanged: he wanted Mbithe and both children to remain in custody during their trial.

The cross-examination was restricted to issues surrounding the affidavit and the grounds raised in the application, following directions by Justice Muteti.

The case concerns the July 29, 2026, killing of Dr Mutiso in Nairobi's Kilimani area, which investigators have linked to an alleged dispute involving property valued at approximately Sh1.5 billion in the Mlolongo-Athi River area.

Mbithe, her children and other suspects have denied the allegations against them and are entitled to the presumption of innocence as the case proceeds.

Meanwhile, the court was informed that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority was yet to complete its report into allegations by the accused persons concerning their arrest and treatment.

The probation office also sought additional time to complete the pre-bail assessments.

The matter was scheduled for a virtual mention on November 4, 2026.