Two individuals who are suspected of killing Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani Bernard, also known as Sniper, will face murder charges, according to a directive from the director of public prosecutions.
According to a statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, also known as Tali, and Vincent Mureithi Kirimi, also known as Supuu, are the suspects that will face charges.
On December 2, 2023, the Meru blogger was reported missing. On December 16, 2023, his body was found thrown in the Mutonga River in Tharaka Nithi County.The DPP said on Thursday that, following a careful review of the material, the prosecution is confident there is enough proof to support the murder accusation against the 2 suspects, one of whom is the brother of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
As a result, the DPP ordered on Friday that Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, also known as Tali, and Vincent Mureithi Kirimi, also known as Supuu, be charged with murder, in violation of Section 203 as well as Section 204 of the Penal Code, at the High Court in Kiambu.
The Kibera Law Courts are currently handling the ODPP’s Miscellaneous Application Nos. E011 of 2024 and E025 of 2024, which are filed against five further suspects.Following the conclusion of the investigations, the DPP has promised to issue the necessary directives.
The DPP went on, “The ODPP undertakes to prosecute the matter expeditiously.”
The blogger died from a strangulation to the neck, according to a postmortem examination performed by government pathologist Johansen Oduor at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital Mortuary in Tharaka Nithi, Meru County.
Marks on Sniper’s neck, broken ribs, and brain injuries suggested strangulation, along with indicators of oxygen starvation, were all seen on his body.
He didn’t appear to be struggling and appeared to have been so utterly subdued that he was unable to resist. To determine whether drugs were utilized to accomplish this, we have obtained samples of organs that will be tested for toxicity,” Oduor said.
Leaders in politics, Sniper’s family, and other bloggers have demanded prompt inquiries into the killing and the prosecution of those guilty.
