The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has clarified claims concerning the abduction and murder of blogger Daniel Muthiani alias Sniper, following a public outcry.
Through a press statement released on December 27, the ODPP confirmed that it had received social media reports to the effect a suspect was arrested for the abduction of sniper.
Notably, the reports claimed that the suspect was arrested but the ODPP did not give directions to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on how to proceed with the case.
The reports were shared online, among them being a post by political strategy consultant and journalist Dennis Itumbi, through his social media account.
“So, a suspect in the abduction of Sniper was arrested, but ODPP did not give directions on how to proceed. DCI told court they were waiting for ODPP. Why the delay?” posed Itumbi.
On its part, the ODPP responded to the reports, clarifying the correct position on the case of the abduction of Sniper.
Arrest Made
Notably, according to the ODPP, following the abduction of Sniper, one Vincent Muriithi Kirimi also known as Supuu Wa Mioro (suspect) was arrested on suspicion of the offence of abduction.
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“Owing to the fact that the whereabouts of abducted person was unknown, the DCI through the ODPP filed Criminal Miscellaneous application No. E116 of 2023 seeking custodial orders pending completion of investigations,” read the statement in part.
ODPP further added that the Chief Magistrate’s court in Maua, Meru County declined to grant custodial orders as sought by the DCI.
Instead, the court granted the suspect a cash bail of Ksh20,000 and ordered the suspect to report to the police station every 14 days.
In addition, according to the statement, the court also set the application for mention on 5th January 2024.
While defending itself the ODPP maintained that following the recovery of Sniper’s body, it directed the DCI to undertake investigations for the offence of murder.
Additionally, DCI was to submit the resultant inquiry file for perusal and further directions, according to the ODPP.
However, the ODPP maintained that it has not received the inquiry file into the offence of murder to date.
The statement further added, “Upon receipt of the inquiry file for murder and any other charges disclosed by the evidence gathered, the ODPP shall give appropriate directions in accordance with the law.
Notably, the Meru-based blogger Daniel Muthiani was found dead on December 17, 2023, after disappearing for three weeks.
Sniper Murdered After Disappearance
Abogeta West Member of County Assembly, Denis Kiogora, confirmed the disheartening news of Sniper, while expressing condolences and emphasizing the need for justice.
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“He was found dead on Saturday, December 16. Let his soul rest in power. May his killers never know peace,” said Kiogora, who also serves as the Chief Whip in the Meru County Assembly.
According to reports, the deceased was set to meet with Meru County Leadership on Saturday, December 2, 2023, when he was reported missing.
Muthiani allegedly received a call on the day of his disappearance from a well-known acquaintance who wanted him to meet a politician.
However, he only confirmed his arrival at the destination to his wife, marking the last conversation between the couple.
Since then, his phone was switched off and no information of his whereabouts was forthcoming until December 17 when he was found dead.
