How DCI Tracked Down Car Used In Blogger Sniper's Murder

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Friday, January 26 made a significant discovery during their probe into the murder of Meru-based blogger Daniel Muthiani commonly known as Sniper.

In a statement released on Saturday, January 27, detectives from the DCI's Homicide unit recovered the vehicle allegedly used to kidnap the late blogger before he was brutally murdered in December 2023.

"The DCI Homicide detectives yesterday recovered the vehicle that was used to abduct the late Daniel Muthiani Benard alias Sniper and later dispose of his body at Mutonga River in the Chiakariga area of Tharaka Nithi on December 2, 2023," stated the DCI in part.

The detectives termed the identification and subsequent recovery of the vehicle, a silver Toyota Premio, a monumental one as they utilised forensic analysis of crucial leads that were gathered, which pointed to a residential place in the Canopy area of Kithoka, Meru County.

The investigating team further established that Vincent Mureithi Kirimi, alias Supuu, had hired and driven the vehicle on the date of Sniper's abduction and murder.

"In the latest establishments, the investigating team has identified Vincent Mureithi Kirimi alias Supuu as the driver who hired the vehicle on the date of the abduction and gruesome murder of Sniper, ferrying other three occupants including Brian Mwenda, Christus Manyara Kiambi and Boniface Kithinji Njihia alias DJ Kaboom," added the DCI.

Further investigations are ongoing with the Homicide team working expeditiously on the case.

A post-mortem done by government pathologist Johansen Oduor on the deceased revealed that he died of strangulation, with Sniper’s kin urging the relevant authorities to do further investigations.

According to the pathologist, Sniper had marks on his neck and he exhibited signs of a person who had lacked oxygen as well as fractured ribs and injuries on his head which suggested that he was strangled before being thrown into a river.

Following the establishment of the cause of death, Sniper's spouse maintained her stance that she would not lay her husband to rest until justice was served.

However, Sniper was then laid to rest on January 5, at his home in Meru County as the detectives opened a court case.

Since then, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved murder charges against Supuu and Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza's brother, Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, alias Tali after DCI forwarded an inquiry file to the ODPP for perusal and advice.

"Upon thorough analysis of the facts, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to sustain the charge of murder against Vincent Mureithi Kirimi alias Supuu and Murangiri Kenneth Guantai alias Tali," stated ODPP in part.

"Consequently, the DPP has directed that Vincent Mureithi Kirimi alias Supuu and Murangiri Kenneth Guantai alias Tali be arraigned before the High Court at Kiambu for the offence of Murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code forthwith."

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 governor however 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.