Meru Governor denies contact with slain blogger 'Sniper' in court testimony
Governor M'Ethingia told the court he had never communicated with Sniper, nor did he know the person registered to the mobile line in question.
Meru Governor Mutuma M'Ethingia on Tuesday told the Kiambu High Court that he neither communicated with slain blogger Daniel Muthiani "Sniper" nor recognised a phone number the prosecution alleges was used to send money to the digital activist shortly before his death.
Testifying before the court, Governor M'Ethingia took the stand as the State sought to establish the chain of events leading to Sniper's disappearance in late 2024.
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The blogger's body was later found dumped in the River Nithi, sparking national outrage and resulting in the arrest of five suspects now facing murder charges.
State Prosecutor Augustine Gacharia questioned the governor extensively about any prior interactions he may have had with the deceased.
The prosecution asked him to confirm whether he had spoken to Sniper before the activist went missing and probed his knowledge of a mobile number said to be linked to a money transfer made to the blogger days before he was killed.
Governor M'Ethingia told the court he had never communicated with Sniper, nor did he know the person registered to the mobile line in question.
He further stated that he had not authorised any transaction to the deceased and had no prior contact with him that could shed light on the circumstances of his disappearance.
The State also sought to determine whether the governor could identify any individuals connected to the phone number or whether he had received communication regarding the deceased during the period under investigation.
Governor M'Ethingia insisted he had no such information and reiterated that his interactions, directly or indirectly, with the blogger were nonexistent.
Throughout the testimony, the governor maintained a steady demeanour, assuring the court that he was willing to "cooperate fully" with investigators and provide any clarification required to aid the prosecution of the case.
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