Governor Mwangaza’s Brother to Face Murder Charges in the Death of Meru Blogger

On Friday, two individuals will be charged with murder in the Kiambu High Court.

They are accused of torturing and killing Daniel Muthiani, also known as Sniper, a blogger and political activist from Meru. Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, the brother of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, and Vincent Murithi Kirimi will soon make an appearance in court to address these allegations. The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has presented a detailed case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), recommending that both individuals be charged with murder.

After carefully reviewing the evidence, the DPP has concluded that there is enough evidence to support the accusation against Vincent Murithi Kirimi, also known as Supuu, and Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, also known as Tali. These recent developments have shocked the nation. Among those currently in custody in relation to this case are Kenneth Mutua Matiri, Fredrick Muriuki Kiugu, Frankline Kimathi, and Timothy Kinoti. As the investigation progresses, Boniface Githinji Njihia, also known as DJ Kaboom, Brian Mwenda, and Grace Kathambi Githinji have been detained for a period of 21 days.

Muthiani was reported missing on December 2, 2023, and his body was later found on December 16 in a dense area near the Mutonga River in Tharaka Nithi County. According to the government’s chief medical examiner Johansen Oduor, it was revealed that the blogger had suffered from physical violence before being suffocated. Legal documents state that the killers lured Muthiani to his death by promising to arrange a meeting with Governor Mwangaza.

Court records indicate that Muthiani had expressed his disapproval of the governor in his online videos, and the suspects alleged that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the potential of establishing a cooperative relationship with the county leader.