Court orders 21-day detention for three suspects in Meru blogger's murder

Three suspects linked to the murder of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper, will remain in police custody for 21 days, a court has ordered.

The order was issued by Kibera Senior Principal Magistrate William Lopokoiyot, who granted an application filed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) seeking more time to complete investigations.

“The respondents herein be detained by the applicant in custody for 21 days at Gigiri police station or any other police station the investigation may lead to enable the applicant to conclude investigations,” Magistrate Lopokoiyot said.

The prosecution told the court that the police wanted to establish the circumstances under which Sniper was killed.

The three suspects are Boniface Githinji Njihia, alias DJ Kaboom, Brian Mwenda, alias Bryo, and Grace Kathambi Kithinji.

Sniper, who was known for his political opinions on the affairs of the Upper Eastern region, disappeared on December 2, 2023, after receiving a call from a well-known acquaintance who wanted him to meet a politician in Meru town.

He informed his wife about the meeting and confirmed his arrival at the destination, but that was the last conversation they had.

His phone went off and no one heard from him until his body was discovered on December 16, 2023.

A post-mortem examination conducted at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital mortuary in Tharaka Nithi revealed that he died of asphyxia secondary to manual strangulation.

Government pathologist Johansen Oduor said Sniper had marks on his neck and showed signs of being denied oxygen.