ODPP Issues Clarification Over Inaction in the case of Murdered Blogger Daniel Muthiani

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has refuted claims that it failed to provide guidance on the case involving a suspect arrested in connection with the alleged abduction of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani.

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 Muthiani alias ‘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.

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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.

“Subsequently, the body of the abducted person was recovered dead. Following the recovery of the body of the abducted person, the ODPP directed the DCI to undertake investigators for the offence of murder and submit the resultant inquiry file for perusal and further directions,” the ODPP said.

The ODPP noted that the office is yet to receive the inquiry file into the offence of murder to date.

“Upon receipt of the inquiry file for murder and any other charges disclosed by the evidence gathered, the ODPP shall give appropriate directions in accordance with the law,” it said.

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

An autopsy done on his body by the Government pathologist Johansen Oduor at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital Mortuary on Friday showed he was strangled on the neck.

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.

Lawyer Miguna Miguna on Tuesday voiced his protest over the conspicuous silence of top security officials regarding the murder of Muthiani.

Miguna, using his X handle, 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.

“On this Christmas Day, Kenyans demand to hear from the DCI and Japheth Koome about the barbaric murder of Sniper,” Miguna said.

Former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga also condemned the killing of the blogger.

Through her X account on Tuesday, Omanga called on the DCI as well the IG to look into the matter.

Omanga said they should work towards making sure Sniper’s killers are brought to book.