Two suspects implicated in the brutal killing of Meru County-based blogger Daniel Muthiani Bernard, also known as Snipper, are set to face murder charges following a recommendation by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
In a statement released on Thursday evening, the DPP asserted that there is sufficient evidence to support a murder charge against Vincent Muriithi Kirimi, alias Supuu, and Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, alias Tali.
“Consequently, the DPP has directed that Vincent Muriithi Kirimi alias Supuu and Murangiri Kenneth Guantai alias Tali be arraigned before the High Court at Kiambu for the offence of murder,” read the statement.
Sniper went missing on December 2 last year, and his body was discovered two weeks later. Five suspects, 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, were later arrested in connection to the killing.
Detectives from the Homicide Investigation Department at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) apprehended them in Meru town within Meru County on January 4, 2024. They were subsequently booked at various police stations within Nairobi and Kiambu.
A post-mortem examination conducted on Sniper’s body at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital mortuary in Tharaka Nithi, Meru County, revealed that he died of strangulation. Government pathologist Johansen Oduor, who performed the examination, noted marks on Sniper’s neck and signs indicative of oxygen deprivation.
Additionally, the autopsy revealed fractured ribs and other injuries on the victim’s body.
