The late Daniel Muthiani, alias 'Sniper'.
The late blogger Daniel Muthiani, alias Sniper, will finally be laid to rest on Friday August 22, 2025 — nearly two years after his gruesome murder that ignited political battles in Meru.
Julius Muthee, a brother of the deceased, told the Daily Nation that the family settled on the burial date after wide consultations with leaders and the community.
Muthiani went missing on December 2, 2023 before his disfigured remains were recovered from the Mutonga River in Tharaka-Nithi County two weeks later. The burial comes one year and eight months after his death.
“It is now confirmed that the burial will take place on Friday. The remains of my late brother have stayed in the morgue for too long because of the clamour for justice. It is our hope that he will finally get justice even after we lay him to rest,” Mr Muthee said.
Hundreds of residents have held processions and prayer meetings across the county, urging the police and Judiciary to deliver justice to the family.
Igembe East MCA Titus Murithi said the burial ceremony will take place at Kabuitu Primary School near the family home.
“We expect all elected leaders from Meru County to attend the burial. It is our expectation that justice will be served,” Mr Murithi said.
The family twice planned the burial last year but on both occasions the ceremony was postponed over delayed court proceedings and a family land dispute.
Last year, local leaders supported by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also sought time to construct a decent house for the late blogger’s family.
Sniper's disappearance and death
The murder of Muthiani, an upcoming vlogger, sparked widespread protests in Meru and dragged in former Governor Kawira Mwangaza, who has vehemently denied any involvement in his disappearance and death.
During investigations, detectives sealed off the Meru County Governor’s residence in search of clues. The former governor’s brother and close allies were implicated in the killing.
Five suspects — Vincent Murithi, Kenneth Guantai, Bonface Kithinji, Christus Manyara, and Brian Mwenda — have since been charged at a Kiambu court with the abduction and murder of Muthiani. They have been released on bond, with the latest hearings held in June.
Despite the charges, there has been mounting pressure for the arrest of more individuals alleged to have financed and organised the abduction.
“Our demand has been that the financiers of Sniper’s murder be brought to book. This remains our clarion call even as we lay our brother to rest,” Mr Murithi said.
Police reports and a statement from the Ministry of Interior to the Senate indicated that Muthiani disappeared after being lured by Vincent Murithi for a meeting with Governor Mwangaza.
The killing later became entangled in Meru’s impeachment politics, with MCAs accusing the then governor of making false claims against them.
While defending herself, Ms Mwangaza alleged that MCAs had raised Sh86 million for Muthiani’s family, a statement that only deepened divisions.
The late blogger’s widow Irene Kawira, appeared before the Senate as one of the County Assembly’s key witnesses during the impeachment trial that led to Ms Mwangaza’s removal from office.
Detectives also raided the Meru governor’s official residence in search of evidence.
