Governor Mutuma testifies in blogger Sniper’s murder case

Meru governor Isaac Mutuma testifying in Kiambu High Court on December 3 / HANDOUT

Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma has testified in a case in which five people are accused of killing Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper, in 2023.

Speaking before Justice Dorah Chepkwony at Kiambu High Court, Governor Mutuma said that although he knew the blogger and had previously offered him financial assistance, their communication was largely one-sided.

“Our conversation with the blogger was a monologue since he had requested financial assistance to buy insecticides for his miraa farm. I never replied to his texts, but I sent him the money,” he said.

Governor Mutuma added that he knew the first and second accused persons but had never interacted with the others, and that he was not involved in political disputes related to the impeachment of former Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

Earlier, state prosecutor Augustine Gacharia raised concerns about the absence of defence lawyers, noting that they had not communicated their non-attendance or filed an application for adjournment.

Gacharia said he had asked the accused persons about their lawyers’ whereabouts.

One said his lawyer was unwell, another indicated his counsel was attending the impeachment hearing of Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo at the Senate, while a third lawyer could not be reached.

“The defence lawyers are not in court, and none of them have made official communication that they will not attend the session, nor have they filed an application for adjournment,” the prosecutor told the court.

He stressed the need to continue with the hearing, noting that the witness was the sitting Governor of Meru County, who had made time to attend.

“The governor is in court, and it is only fair that we finish his testimony so he can attend to his duties,” he said.

Justice Chepkwony allowed Governor Mutuma to conclude his testimony, noting that an earlier session had been interrupted due to a power outage.

The accused — Vincent Kirimi, alias Supuu, Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, alias Tali, and others — have denied killing Muthiani between December 23 and 26, 2023, at Mutonga River in Tharaka Nithi County.

The charge sheet also refers to alleged accomplices who are said to be still at large.

The court scheduled the next hearings for January 9, 10 and 11 next year, with the prosecution expected to present additional witnesses.