In a shocking turn of events, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested five suspects, including the son and brother of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, in connection with the murder of renowned Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani, also known as Sniper.
The incident has raised concerns about the security of bloggers and the potential impact of their work on their personal safety.
The suspects, including Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s son and brother, were arrested on January 4, 2024, in Meru County. The DCI has sought a 21-day detention order for the suspects at Muthaiga Police Station to allow investigators sufficient time to conclude their inquiries.
The application states that the suspects enticed the blogger by claiming that Governor Mwangaza, whom he had politically criticized, wanted to meet him for a truce.
The request was filed at Kiambu Magistrates Court hours after the case was transferred from Meru to the Nairobi Metropolis.
According to the DCI officer in charge of the investigations, the accused persons contacted the Meru blogger, claiming that he would meet with Mwangaza to seek a truce.
The DCI officer claimed that Sniper travelled from his home in Igembe South sub-county to Meru town, where he met with the accused persons and subsequently went missing.
The blogger, who resided in Igembe South, traveled to Meru town to meet the suspects but went missing, leading to his family raising the alarm. Daniel Muthiani was reported missing, and his body was later found in a river.
The arrests have far-reaching implications for the safety of bloggers in Kenya and the potential consequences of their work. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rights and safety of bloggers and other journalists, who often face threats and violence due to their work.
In conclusion, the arrests of Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s son and brother, along with three other suspects, in connection with the murder of blogger Daniel Muthiani highlight the importance of protecting the rights and safety of bloggers and other journalists.
As the story continues to develop, the authorities need to ensure that the suspects are brought to justice and that the incident serves as a deterrent for those who would seek to harm bloggers or other journalists due to their work.