The hearing of a high-profile murder case involving five accused persons charged with killing Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper, in 2023 is set on February resume on 9th, 10th, and 11th next year at the Kiambu Law Courts. Former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza is expected to take the stand as one of the key witnesses.
The case, which has drawn significant public interest due to the political figures involved, continued on Wednesday with Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia giving his testimony before Justice Dorah Chepkwony.
Governor Mutuma told the court that he knew the late blogger and had previously offered him financial assistance. He explained that their communication had mainly been one-sided.
“Our conversation with the blogger was monologue since he had requested me for financial assistance to buy insecticides to spray his miraa farm. I never replied to his texts but I sent him the money,” Mutuma stated.
He further clarified that, although he knew the first and second accused persons, he had never interacted with the others and had no involvement in the political disputes surrounding the impeachment of former governor Mwangaza.
Earlier, State Prosecutor Augustine Gacharia raised concern after all defence lawyers failed to appear in court and did not communicate their absence. He termed the move an apparent tactic to delay the proceedings.
Gacharia said he had personally inquired from the accused persons about their lawyers’ whereabouts. One of the accused claimed his lawyer was unwell, another said his counsel was attending an impeachment hearing for Nyamira County at the Senate, while a third lawyer could not be reached by phone.
“The defence lawyers are not in court, and none of them have made official communication that they will not attend the court session, nor have they filed an application for adjournment,” the prosecutor told the court.
He emphasized the importance of proceeding with the day’s testimony, noting that the sitting witness was the sitting Governor of Meru County, who had availed himself despite his busy schedule.
“The Governor is in court, and it is only fair that we finish up with his testimony so he can be able to attend to his duties,” he said.
Justice Chepkwony agreed, allowing the governor to conclude his testimony. She noted that he had previously been stood down due to a power outage, which interrupted his earlier session.
The accused persons — Vincent Mureithi Kirimi alias Supuu, Murangiri Kenneth Guantai alias Tali, and others — have denied murdering Muthiani between December 23 and 26, 2023, at Mutonga River in Tharaka Nithi County, alongside accomplices who are still at large.
The case will continue next year as the prosecution lines up more witnesses, including former Governor Mwangaza.
