The brutal murder of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani alias Sniper took a new twist after a major breakthrough by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives probing the case.
In a statement on January 27, DCI stated that homicide detectives made a crucial discovery, recovering a vehicle suspected of having been used in the abduction of Sniper.
The detectives revealed that the vehicle which also could have been used to dump his body was recovered on Friday, January 27.
“DCI Homicide detectives yesterday recovered the vehicle that was used to abduct the late Daniel Muthiani Benard alias Sniper and later dispose of his body at Mutonga River in Chiakariga area of Tharaka Nithi on December 2, 2023,” read the statement in part.
The detectives further noted that the identification and subsequent recovery of the vehicle was done following thorough forensic analysis of crucial leads.
Crucial lead
In the forensic analysis, the detectives explained, a crucial lead pointed to a residential place at Canopy area of Kithoka, Meru County where the vehicle was discovered.
Also Read: ODPP Gives Update on Meru Blogger Sniper’s Death
According to the investigating team, it has identified Vincent Mureithi Kirimi alias Supuu as the driver of the recovered vehicle.
“The investigating team has identified Supuu as the driver who hired the vehicle on the date of abduction and gruesome murder of Sniper, ferrying other three occupants.
Supuu is also one of the suspects earlier arrested by the investigating team following a directive by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
On January 19, 2024, ODPP announced that it had found sufficient ground to charge suspects arrested in connection to the murder who included Supuu and governor Kawira Mwangaza’s brother.
DCI added that further investigations are ongoing with the Homicide team working expeditiously on the case.
Justice for sniper
The murder of Sniper caused widespread condemnation and uproar especially in Meru County.
Following pleas from a section of leaders in the county, President William Ruto broke his silence on the brutal murder of the blogger.
Addressing a rally in Meru County on Friday, January 26, 2024, Ruto stated that the government had already taken up on the matter, promising that justice would be served.
Also Read: Ruto Addresses Murder of Meru Blogger Sniper
“I want to assure you that the case of Sniper, the government has ordered that those who murdered him must be found and brought to justice,” he said.
Ruto was responding to a plea from Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi who called for Sniper’s justice.
“There was a young man called Sniper who was here but met an untimely death.
Mr. President we are pleading with you because you are a leader to us all, please ensure that he gets justice so that we can know who murdered him,” said Murungi.
