Sniper murder: Governor Mwangaza’s husband, sister record statements with DCI
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s husband Murega Baichu and her sister Miriam Guantai on Sunday, January 14 recorded their statement with detectives in the probe into the murder of Meru blogger Daniel Muthian alias Sniper.
Speaking to the media on Monday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Eastern region coordinator Lenny Kisaka said the two family members recorded statement in Meru DCI offices.
This comes as another family member, Kenneth Guantai, brother to the county boss, is being held in custody together with five other suspects including Meru County Director of Protocol Kenneth Mutuma.
“Yes the two recorded statements and we are still going on with investigations and we will continue to inform the public on the progress,” Kisaka said.
Sniper disappeared on December 2, 2023, before his body was found dumped at River Mutonga in Tharaka Nithi county on December 16.
A week ago detectives secured Governor Mwangaza’s official residence in Meru, as a crime scene as investigations continue.
Speaking then Kisaka told journalists that the governor’s residence was among many other crime scenes they were investigating following the brutal murder of the blogger.
Accompanied by the director of homicide Martin Nyaguto, the detectives disclosed that the investigations were at an advanced stage.
“A team of homicide and forensic science are inside here because this is mapped as one of the major scenes we are visiting and carrying out investigation we will collect everything necessary to ensure that sniper get justice,” Kisaka added.
He called on members of the public to exercise patience as detectives gather crucial leads in Sniper’s killing.
DCI, in a recent application filed in court, DCI said one of the suspects in custody, Vincent Murithi Alias Supuu wa Mioro, lured the deceased through a phone call that the county boss wanted to meet him for a truce before he travelled from his home at Kabuitu in Igembe South.
“The deceased was lured through a phone call to come and meet the governor whom he used to publically criticize so that they can make peace and work together,” DCI told the court.
On Friday evening, during an interview with the media, the governor denied the allegations that the Sniper visited her residence and called on the investigation team to carry out their mandate and ensure justice is served to the family.
“I have seen a lot in my political career so I have decided to keep quiet and watch the detectives do their work but I have never seen Sniper in my residence,” the governor said.
Mwangaza alleges a political witch hunt in the ongoing investigation into the murder.
“If they want my family I will take them by myself to the police but nobody should be harassed I know those I defeated and they have not accepted I worn the seat are fighting me through the death of Sniper when I am not a murderer,” Mwangaza said while preaching at her church last Sunday.