Vehicle allegedly used to abduct late Sniper recovered

By Peter Ochieng

Detectives have recovered the vehicle allegedly used in abduction of Meru based blogger, Daniel Benard Muthiani alias Sniper.

The vehicle is also suspected to have been used to transport his body.

Sniper was reported missing on December 02, 2023 before his body was found dumped in a thicket along Mutonga River, Tharaka Nithi County about two weeks later.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in a statement on Saturday said the vehicle was identified after thorough forensic analysis.

"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," said the agency.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified as one Vincent Mureithi Kirimi alias Supuu, who is among the people currently in custody over the alleged murder of Sniper.

"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 abduction and gruesome murder of Sniper, ferrying other three occupants including Brian Mwenda, Christus Manyara Kiambi and Boniface Kithinji Njihia alias DJ Kaboom."

"Further investigations are ongoing with the homicide team working expeditiously on the case," added DCI.

10 suspects have so far been arrested, among them Kenneth Murangiri Guantai, who is Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza's brother.

They are expected to be charged on 29th January, 2023.

The first time governor has denied claims of her family's hand in the death of the blogger.

On Friday, while touring Meru county, president William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua vowed to ensure that the family of the slain blogger ultimately find justice.

"In the case of that young man Sniper, the government is following up on the case till those that took his life are arrested so that they face the law," said the president.

He stated that Kenya is a country of rule of law, adding that Kenyans cannot continue to loose lives through murder.