President William Ruto has publicly addressed the mysterious death of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani Bernard, widely known as Sniper. Speaking at a public address in Meru on January 26, 2023, the Head of State assured residents that his government is committed to bringing those responsible for the controversial blogger’s death to justice.
President Ruto declared, “On the issue of Sniper, as the government, we have given an order that those who killed him must be arrested and face the wrath of the law.” This statement came amidst growing concerns over the safety of activists and media personnel in the country.
The President further emphasized that moving forward, the government will seek stringent punishment for those involved in the killing of youth activists. The commitment to ensuring justice follows the recent decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to file murder charges against two suspects, Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, also known as Tali, and Vincent Mureithi Kirimi, alias Supuu.
Of particular note is the fact that Guantai is a police officer attached to the security team of Governor Kawira Mwangaza, who was present alongside President Ruto during the public address. Governor Mwangaza, facing scrutiny due to her family’s alleged involvement in the murder, has consistently distanced her relatives from the tragic incident.
The governor’s brother, Guantai, and another suspect, Supuu, now face serious legal consequences. The development raises questions about the political implications of the case, as Governor Mwangaza’s leadership in Meru County has been marred by controversies, including a failed impeachment motion.
Governor Mwangaza, maintaining her family’s innocence, has expressed confidence that they will be exonerated from the murder case. In response to the ongoing investigations, she stated, “Calm in the midst of the storm. Lies can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on shoes. We shall overcome gloriously with God’s grace.”
