Two suspects were on Monday, January 29, formally charged with the murder of Daniel Muthiani Benard, the well-known Meru blogger known as ‘Sniper.’
Vincent Muriithi Kirimi, also known as Supuu, and Kenneth Murangiri Guantai, alias Tali, entered not guilty pleas during their appearance before Lady Justice Dorah Chepkwony at Kiambu High Court.
The charges brought against them were murder, as stipulated in Section 203, read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
The specifics of the charges outlined that between the 2nd and 16th of December 2023, at River Mutonga in Chiakariga Sub County within Tharaka-Nthi County, the two suspects, along with others not identified before the court, allegedly committed the murder of the deceased.
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 silver Toyota Premio suspected to have been used to kidnap Sniper was recovered 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,”
During the court proceedings, the state prosecution objected to the application for bail, arguing that there were compelling reasons for the accused not to be released.
However, the defense, led by Elias Mutuma representing the second accused, cited Article 49 of the Constitution, asserting the right of the accused to be granted bail without the need for compelling reasons, as argued by the prosecution.
In her ruling, Lady Justice Chepkwony instructed the defense to file their submissions and serve them to the prosecution within seven days.
Additionally, she directed that the first accused undergo liver surgery the following day at Mama Lucy Hospital and remain in custody at Industrial Remand until the 29th of February for mention and trial for bail.
Notably, in the previous week, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) released four other suspects after concluding their investigation, finding them innocent in connection to the murder case.
