Meru: Slain Blogger Sniper to Be Buried Over 1 Year after Brutal Murder

• Plans are in motion to give departed blogger Benard 'Sniper' Muthiani a befitting send-off, a year after he was brutally killed and his body left on a riverbank
• According to Sniper's widow Irene Kawira, the blogger left their home at Kabuito in Igembe South after receiving a call from Vincent Murithi aka Supuu
• The latter requested to meet Sniper in Meru town and that was the last time his family saw him alive

Meru: The family of Benard 'Sniper' Muthiani can finally sigh with relief as they can now bury the body of their kin, a year after his death.

Will Meru county pay for Sniper's burial?

Sniper went missing on December 2, 2023, and after a lot of searching, his decomposing body was found on December 6, 2023. It was recovered from a riverbank in Tharaka Nithi County.

On Monday, May 19, Meru governor Isaac Mutuma shared that there were plans to accord the departed writer a decent burial and he also revealed that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had already built a house for the family.

KTN News reports that Mutuma said the Meru community wanted to see justice done and the nuclear family of the blogger supported it; he promised to support the children in getting an education.

"I want to report that you have fulfilled your promise to build a decent house for the young widow and children," he said.

Why was Sniper liked?

The 33-year-old became popular for his satirical videos that were posted on social media and that focused on matters such as leadership, governance, well as politics.

Some residents claimed the father of two was murdered because he rubbed some leaders the wrong way. They have since demanded thorough investigations and the arrest of his killer(s).

Some Meru leaders, like Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi, vowed that they wouldn't bury him until he got justice and his killers were in custody.

How did the blogger go missing?

Sniper's wife, Irene Kawira, shared that the blogger left their home at Kabuito, in Igembe South, after receiving a call. The recall turned out to be from Vincent Murithi, aka Supuu, who requested a meeting within Meru town.

“We are depressed. The children cannot sleep and are crying all the time. My husband was just a simple farmer,” she said back then.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations detectives have since recovered a vehicle suspected to be used in the murder.

Former Governor Kawira Mwangaza and other MPs called for speedy investigations to ensure the planners and executors of the murder were brought to book.

President William Ruto also spoke on the issue, saying that Kenya was a country of rule of law, and the family would get justice.

Burial postponed over land row

The burial of Sniper has been postponed several times and the last time it was because of a heated land row.

The family first wanted to bury Sniper on December 13, 2024, then postponed it all the way to December 27. At some point, it was declared indefinite.

According to reports, the burial of Sniper came about because the alleged land row was because they had sold a part of their land.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke