•The CS claimed that the murder of Snipper is in line with the continued profiling and stigmatization of Mt Kenya youths, branding them as members of outlawed gangs.
•Sniper disappeared on December 2, before his body was discovered on December 16.
Image: MOSES KURIA/X
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has waded into the murder of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani Benard, also known as Sniper.
In a statement on Thursday, the CS noted that the disappearance of Meru-based human rights and political activist Snipper was not something to be taken for granted.
"Verily, verily I say unto the one responsible- You will not get away with this. I will pursue this matter to the bitter end Meru blogger dead Snipper," Kuria said on his official X account.
The CS claimed that the murder of Snipper is in line with the continued profiling and stigmatization of Mt Kenya youths, branding them as members of outlawed gangs.
"When the threshold of what is legit Humanitarian standards fall this low, the outcome is what you see," Kuria added.
Sniper disappeared on December 2, before his body was discovered on December 16.
An autopsy conducted on Friday by government pathologist Johansen Oduor at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital Mortuary showed that Sniper died of strangulation.
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.
Kenyans and institutions have condemned the murder of Sniper.
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya noted that the Kenyan constitution guarantees freedom of expression and, the right to seek, receive and impart information.
Calling for justice for the blogger, it added that every Kenyan has the right to criticise and question those entrusted with power by the people.
Lawyer Miguna Miguna voiced his protest over the conspicuous silence of top security officials regarding Sniper's murder.
He condemned the barbaric act and questioned the absence of statements from the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Inspector General (IG) on this matter.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) refuted claims that it failed to provide guidance on the case involving a suspect arrested in connection with the alleged abduction of the Meru blogger.
These allegations arose following a wave of speculation among Kenyans on social media, who asserted that although a suspect had been detained, the ODPP had not issued any directives on how to advance the case.
The delay and perceived silence from the DPP on this matter sparked questions and concerns on various social media platforms.
The ODPP in a statement on Wednesday said after the disappearance of Sniper, one suspect, Vincent Kirimi alias Supuu Wa Mioro was arrested on suspected abduction of the blogger.
Since the whereabouts of Muthiani was unknown, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) through the ODPP filed a criminal miscellaneous application No E116 of 2023 seeking to hold the suspect in custody until investigations are completed.
The ODPP in the statement said the application was however declined by the Chief Magistrate Court in Maua in Meru but instead granted the suspect a cash bail of Sh20,000.
The court then ordered the suspect to report to the police station every 14 days and set the application for mention on January 5, 2024.