The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has responded to claims that it has refused to provide direction in the case of Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani Benard, also known as Sniper, who was kidnapped and murdered.
According to Renson Mulele’s office, contrary to social media statements pointing a finger at the authority, the public prosecutor carried out its mandate properly, and the ball is now in the hands of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“Owing to the fact that the whereabouts of abducted person was unknown, the DCI, through the ODPP applied criminal miscellaneous application no. E116 of 2023 seeking custodial orders pending completion of investigations,” ODDP said.
Additionally, according to the prosecutor, the Maua, Meru county court decided not to grant the custodial orders and instead released the suspect on a Ksh20,000 cash bond.
But according to ODDP, after Sniper’s body was found, it gave DCI the order to start looking into the murderous crime right away and submit the inquiry file that came from it for review and guidance.
“The ODPP has not received the inquiry file into the offence of murder up to date,” ODPP said, indicating DCI is to blame for the same.
The announcement follows State House blogger Denis Itumbi’s accusing finger, claiming the ODPP has declined to investigate Sniper’s murder.
“So, a SUSPECT in the abduction of SNIPER was arrested, but ODPP did NOT give directions on how to proceed. DCI told court they were waiting for DPP. Why the delay Mr. DPP? Why is DPP silent internally and publicly?” Itumbi questioned.
Vincent Muriithi Kirimi, also known as Supuu wa Mioro, is the main suspect in the abduction and murder of Sniper.
Kirimi was arrested following Sniper’s disappearance, but released on a KSh20,000 as the search for the blogger continued.
