Meru blogger was strangled to death, autopsy reveals

State pathologist Oduor conducted the examination on Friday at Marimanti Level 4 Hospital Mortuary

In Summary
  • Oduor said Sniper had marks on his neck and he exhibited signs of a person who had lacked oxygen.

  • He also had fractured ribs and showed injuries on his head which suggested that he was strangled before being thrown into a river.

Blogger Daniel Muthian
Blogger Daniel Muthian
Image: HANDOUT

Slain Meru-based Blogger Daniel Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper died out of strangulation, an autopsy said.

An autopsy done on his body on Friday showed he was strangled on the neck.

Government pathologist Johansen Oduor conducted the examination on Friday at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital Mortuary.

Oduor said Sniper had marks on his neck and he exhibited signs of a person who had lacked oxygen.

He also had fractured ribs and showed injuries on his head which suggested that he was strangled before being thrown into a river.

Officials picked up DNA samples to confirm he was the one since his body had already decomposed.

The examination of the body showed there were no defence injuries thus raising questions on whether he was subdued to a level where he could not defend himself. 

The pathologist confirmed that Sniper's body parts were intact.

Family members said the postmortem was done satisfyingly and appealed to security agencies to arrest culprits for justice to be served.

Sniper disappeared on December 2, before his body was discovered on December 16, 2023.

Police sources said they have identified possible suspects in the murder.

They include some local workers.

 A senior official said with the results of the autopsy out and confirmation it was murder, arrests and questioning are expected soon.

“The probe points to some people who had bad relationships with the deceased. This is murder,” said a senior official aware of the probe.

Several people have called on the arrest of those behind the murder.

President William Ruto's digital secretary Dennis Itumbi is among those who asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigation to swing into action and arrest those behind the murder.

"We have a great DCI Kenya boss. Please ndugu find the killers of this blogger and let them face the full force of the law," Itumbi called on DCI.

Itumbi acknowledged that bloggers might at times have different opinions which some in society may not agree with.

He, however, said a difference in opinion is not a reason enough to harm a blogger.

"If anyone disagrees with a blogger please do not torture and kill anyone for having an opinion. Counter it with system ya facts - unacceptable!" Itumbi said.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai also led bloggers in demanding that justice be served after Muthiani's death.

Alai said bloggers are deeply shocked and outraged by the brutal kidnapping and murder of the Meru-based blogger.

"Muthiani’s consistent criticism of the Meru County leadership raises serious concerns about the moves behind his tragic death."

“We urgently call upon the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, along with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into this heinous crime,” he said. 

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