Governor Mwangaza Threatens Protests In 24 Hours Over Blogger Sniper Murder

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has demanded the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to release a report of what they found during a raid on her official residence in 24 hours or she will stage protests in the county.

Addressing the media on Friday, January 19 hours after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) placed murder charges on her brother Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, also known as Tali, a sharp-talking Mwangaza compelled the detectives to furnish the county administration with the report within the specified period.

Furthermore, she warned that the protests, if realised, would continue until the DCI avails that report.

Homicide detectives seal off Governor Kawira Mwangaza's official residence in Milimani Estate, Meru town on January 6, 2024. /VIRAL TEA KE

"Because you said the governor's residence is the scene of the crime, by tomorrow the DCI and other units that declared it a scene of crime must provide us with a report on what they found at the governor's place. Failure to do so, we will protest as the people of Meru people demanding for that a report," said Mwangaza.

The county boss also compelled the DCI to make public details of their findings after she claimed the detectives confiscated her phone and those of her workers.

“You came here again and took the phones of all my employees. What did you find on their phones? Why are you announcing information halfway? You should inform us of what you have discovered.

"I want to protect the integrity of my office as the governor, and I want you to openly disclose what you found,” she added.

Mwangaza at the same time also claimed that the investigations on the murder of Sniper were turned into a political weapon to be used against her, swearing to sue the individuals who claimed she was involved in the blogger's murder...in a court of law.

“For those of you who have claimed that the governor is a murderer and mentioned my name, we will meet in court.

"I want to be paid for the damages to be paid. And not just casual money,” the Meru Governor fired.

Mwangaza, in the presser she convened alongside her husband, Murega Baichu, aired her frustrations over the claims and distanced herself from Sniper’s murder, specifying that if she was the killer, she couldn’t have possibly called Sniper to her home before committing the crime.

Baichu, on his part, claimed to have searched for a video of Sniper criticising Mwangaza only not to find any, insisting that his family is innocent of Sniper’s murder.

“We have never thought of harming someone who insults us. There are many videos in the public domain of people saying very bad things about us.

"Why have we ever thought of harming any of them? I’ve looked for a video of Sniper criticising Kawira but I haven’t seen one," Baichu questioned.

Other than Murangiri, DPP Renson Mulele Ingonga revealed that he was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to sustain the murder charge against Vincent Mureithi Kirimi, alias Supuu.

In the meantime, the ODPP announced that it filed two miscellaneous applications against five other suspects which are pending before Kibera Law Courts.

Murangiri was among five suspects arrested for the murder of Sniper on Friday, January 5 as the DCI filed an application seeking to detain the five suspects who include Kenneth Mutua, Fredrick Muriuki, Frankline Kimathi and Timothy Kinoti, Governor Mwangaza's son.

The five suspects were arrested on Thursday, January 4 in Meru County with the investigation officials booking them in various police stations in Kiambu and Nairobi County.