The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has found sufficient ground to charge the brother of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza with the murder of Daniel Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper.
In a statement on Thursday, January 18, ODPP detailed that the governor’s brother Murangiri Kenneth Guantai alias Tali and Vincent Mureithi Kirimi alias Supuu will be arraigned before the High Court.
The two were among five suspects who were in police custody over the murder of the popular Meru political blogger.
“The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) forwarded an inquiry file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for perusal and advice.
“Upon thorough analysis of the facts, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to sustain the charge of murder against Vincent Mureithi Kirimi alias Supuu and Murangiri Kenneth Guantai alias Tali,” the statement from the DPP read in part.
Also Read: Kawira Mwangaza Breaks Silence on Meru Blogger ‘Sniper’ Murder
Further, the ODPP noted that it filed a filed miscellaneous application against five other suspects which are pending before Kibera Law Courts.
“The DPP shall upon completion of the investigations issue appropriate directions. The ODPP undertakes to prosecute the matter expeditiously,” added the statement.
Kawira Mwangaza’s Staff and Brother Arrests
On January 5, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested two employees of the Meru Governor including her bodyguard, in the ongoing investigations to the murder of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani.
The Head of Staff at the governor’s office Nchamba Mbithi confirmed the arrests adding that the other staff implicated in the case was a close person to the governor noting that he was arrested by the sleuths on Wednesday 3.
However, on January 7, Mwangaza took to the podium at a local church and defended her son, who was rumored to be among the suspects in the case.
Additionally, she insisted that none of her family members had been arrested and termed reports suggesting so as propaganda.
In her speech, Mwangaza stated that she was ready to present any of the members in her family if requested to assist in the ongoing investigations.
“Those reporting that my son has been arrested, its sheer propaganda, back to the sender and if there is any of my family members wanted for investigations, I will be ready to present,” she stated.
The Disappearance and Death of Sniper
Sniper was reported missing on December 2, 2023, after he received a phone call from well-known acquaintance who wanted to meet a politician.
Later, he confirmed his arrival at the destination to his wife, marking the last conversation between the couple.
His phone was switched off and no information of his whereabouts was forthcoming until December 17, when he was found dead.
However, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions revealed that sniper’s death was caused by Asphyxia, a condition where the body is deprived of oxygen, after manual strangulation.
