Detectives Arrest Key Suspect In Murder Of Meru Blogger ‘Sniper’
Officers from the Homicide Department at DCI Headquarters, under the leadership of Director Martin Nyuguto, conducted a raid at the residence of a suspect linked to the passing of Blogger Daniel Muthiani Bernard, also known as Sniper, in Meru on Sunday.
Police, prompted by information provided by residents, conducted a raid at the residence of Brian Mwenda, who works as a motorbike taxi rider, situated on the outskirts of Gachanka Village within the Ntima East division of North Imenti constituency.
They spent over four hours gathering forensic evidence at the suspect’s leased residence to assist in the investigation into Sniper’s killing.
As per the detectives, Mwenda, along with other suspects, has been apprehended and is scheduled to appear in the Kiambu Law Courts on Monday for arraignment.
The arrest on Sunday happened immediately following the Saturday arrival of Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who surrounded and established a base at the residence of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza in Milimani estate, restricting access for most of the day.
Insiders informed PoliticalPulseChat that the activity aligned with an investigation related to the killing of the prominent county blogger named Daniel Muthiani, also known as Sniper.
The assassination carried out by the sniper has received strong criticism from numerous high-ranking officials in the nation, among them Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who promised decisive measures against those responsible.
The investigators are reportedly considering Governor Mwangaza’s residence as a potential focal point in the investigation, attracting significant public interest.
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Additionally, the DCI is requesting a 21-day extension to detain five individuals who were arrested for the homicide.
In court filings, the DCI mentioned that this timeframe will allow them to complete their investigations, highlighting that additional individuals who are involved have not been apprehended yet.
The current detainees include Kenneth Mutua Gatiri, also known as Gasigi, Fredrick Muruiki Kiugi, known as Pope, Frankline Kimathi, also called Dudu Ras, Timothy Kinoti, referred to as Timo, and Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, known as Tali.
Investigators stated that the five suspects enticed the deceased by making a phone call claiming that Governor Mwangaza wished to have a meeting with him.
The sniper went missing on December 2 and was found deceased on December 16, 2023.
An autopsy carried out on the deceased’s body at Marimanti Level 4 Hospital’s morgue in Tharaka Nithi, Meru County, determined that the cause of death was strangulation.
Johansen Oduor, the government’s forensic examiner, noted that Sniper showed neck markings and displayed symptoms consistent with oxygen deprivation.
He also had fractured ribs and showed injuries
Detectives Arrest Key Suspect In Murder Of Meru Blogger ‘Sniper’