2 Suspects Charged With The Murder Of Meru Blogger ‘Sniper Image Courtesy

Two suspects linked to the crude murder of  Meru Blogger Daniel Muthiani Bernard Alias ‘Sniper’ have been charged with murder.

The two suspects, Vincent Murithi Kirimi Alias Supuu O’mioro and Murangiri Kenneth Guantai Alias Tali have however pleaded “not guilty”. Murangiri is the brother of  Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza and was on her security detail before his arrest.

In her ruling, Lady Justice Chepkwony directed that the defence file their submission and serve prosecution within seven days.

She further directed that the first accused be taken for liver operation tomorrow at Mama Lucy Hospital and be in custody at Industrial Remand until 29th February for mention and trial for bail.

According to a statement by the Director of Criminal Investigations, the two and others who are yet to be arrested murdered sniper in December 2023.

Early last week, four of the suspects were released by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) after concluding their investigation and found them innocent.

“It is alleged that the accused persons, on diverse dates between 2nd December 2023 and 6th December 2023 at River Mutonga in Ciakariga Sub-County within Tharaka Nithi County, jointly with others not before the court, murdered Daniel Muthiani Bernard Alias Sniper,” the ODPP stated.

The DPP announced that after a thorough analysis of the facts, the prosecution is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to sustain the charge of murder against the two suspects, one of whom Is Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s brother.

The Meru blogger, a known critic of Governor Kawira,  was reported missing on December 2, 2023, and his body was discovered dumped in Mutonga River in Tharaka Nithi County on December 16, 2023.

A postmortem examination, conducted by government pathologist Johansen Oduor at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital Mortuary in Tharaka Nithi, Meru County, revealed that the blogger died after being strangled on the neck.

The judge ordered that the two be remanded at Industrial Area Remand Prison pending filing a bail application by the defense.