The murder trial of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper, is set to resume on February 9th, 10th, and 11th next year at the Kiambu Law Courts, with former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza expected to appear as a key prosecution witness.
Proceedings on Wednesday saw current Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia take the stand before Justice Dorah Chepkwony. Governor Mutuma testified that he knew the late blogger and had previously sent him money for insecticides, adding that most of their communication was not reciprocal. He further stated that while he knew the first and second accused, he had no connection to the others and was not involved in political tensions surrounding Mwangaza’s prior impeachment battles.
Earlier in the session, State Prosecutor Augustine Gacharia raised concern over the absence of all defence lawyers, none of whom had notified the court of their nonattendance. He described their failure to appear as a deliberate move to stall progress in the case.
Despite the defence team’s absence, Justice Chepkwony allowed Governor Mutuma to conclude his testimony, noting that a previous hearing had been disrupted by a power outage.
The accused Vincent Mureithi Kirimi alias Supuu, Murangiri Kenneth Guantai alias Tali, and several others are charged with murdering Muthiani between December 23 and 26, 2023, at the Mutonga River in Tharaka Nithi County. All have pleaded not guilty.
The case will reconvene in February as the prosecution prepares to call additional witnesses, including former Governor Mwangaza.
