Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) have located and recovered a vehicle believed to be connected to the abduction, killing, and subsequent disposal of the body of Meru County-based blogger Daniel Muthiani Benard, also known as Sniper.
Sniper went missing in November 2023. His body was discovered two weeks later at Mutonga River in Chiakariga area of Tharaka Nithi on December 2.
Five suspects have since been arrested in connection to the killing, including Kenneth Mutua Gatiri, alias Gasigi, Fredrick Muruiki Kiugi, alias Pope, Franklin Kimathi, alias Dudu Ras, Timothy Kinoti, alias Timo, and Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, alias Tali.
In an official statement released on Saturday, the DCI announced that the silver Toyota Premio in question was discovered at a residence in the Canopy area of Meru County.
“The identification and subsequent recovery of the vehicle, a silver Toyota Premio registration number KCR 742N, followed thorough forensic analysis of crucial leads, which pointed to a residential place at Canopy area of Kithoka, Meru county,” the statement reads.
According to the DCI, homicide detectives have identified Vincent Mureithi Kirimi, alias Supuu, as one of the suspects and the driver who rented the vehicle on the day of Sniper’s abduction and gruesome murder.
The vehicle also reportedly transported three other individuals on the fateful day, namely Brian Mwenda, Christus Manyara Kiambi, and Boniface Kithinji Njihia, also known as DJ Kaboom.
“Further investigations are ongoing with the Homicide team working expeditiously on the case,” stated the DCI statement.
A post-mortem examination conducted at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital mortuary revealed that Sniper died of strangulation.
Governor Kawira later accused the police of engaging in a political witchhunt targeting her family. She also asserted that she knows the person who called Sniper 15 times on the day he disappeared.
