Daniel Muthiani: Slain Meru Blogger Was Strangled To Death, Autopsy Shows

• A postmortem examination revealed that Meru Blogger Daniel Muthiani, known as Sniper, was strangled
• Government pathologist Johansen Oduor confirmed Sniper had marks on his neck and showed signs of oxygen deprivation
• He said Sniper had fractured ribs and head injuries, suggesting he was strangled before being thrown into a river
• DNA samples were taken to confirm the identity of the decomposed body, and the family expressed satisfaction with the postmortem process

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Tharaka Nithi - A postmortem examination conducted on the body of the murdered Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper, has revealed that he was strangled.

During a press briefing on Friday, December 22, after the examination at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital Mortuary, government pathologist Johansen Oduor said Sniper had marks on his neck.

He explained that he showed signs of a person who lacked oxygen, had fractured ribs and showed injuries on his head, which suggested that he was strangled before being thrown into a river.

"He was actually strangled; there was some mark on the neck which was caused by a rope. He had. He had evidence of someone who has lacked air which led to his death. We also saw some injuries on the chest; their were rib fractures on the right side from the seventh, eight and the ninth rib," Oduor said.

The pathologist said they took DNA samples to help them confirm the identity of the body since it had already decomposed.

Sniper's family call for justice

Muthiani's family members present at the hospital said the postmortem was done satisfyingly.

Francis Mutuma, his brother, said they wished to see justice served for their kin, adding that it would be better if it happened before he's laid to rest.

"Now we would like an update because the investigators, the ones from DCI, have completed their inquiries. Let's hear something even tomorrow about the people who are in custody. Let's hear about those going to justice as it continues to do its work, so we can see our rights being upheld even before we lay him to rest," said Mutuma.

How Daniel Muthiani went missing

As reported earlier, Sniper's wife, Irene Kawira, said the political activist and blogger left their Kabuiti home on December 2 at 8:30pm after he received a call from an acquaintance suggesting a meeting with him at an address he did not disclose.

Kawira said she did not call him that night until the following day. However, her efforts to reach him were thwarted as his phone was switched off.

His brother revealed that the officers did not provide any updates on the progress of the search, leading them to approach the county police commander, Cunningham Suiyanka, for assistance.