DPP Ingonga refutes claims of laxity in investigation of the murder of Meru blogger 'Sniper'
ODPP has issued updates refuting claims of laxity in investigating the murder of slain blogger Daniel Muthiani Bernard alias Sniper.
This was after digital strategist Dennis Itumbi faulted the Renson Ingonga-led agency for failing to give directions on how the case should proceed after one of the suspects was arrested.
In his statement, Itumbi shared juxtapositioned images of what are believed to be documents regarding the case. He lashed out at the agency and wondered why DPP Renson was lip-tight over the matter.
"So, a suspect in the abduction of Sniper was arrested, but @ODPP_KE did not give directions on how to proceed. @DCI_Kenya told court they were waiting for DPP. Why the delay Mr. DPP? Why is DPP silent internally and publicly? #IamSNIPER," Itumbi wrote.
But in a subsequent rejoinder, Ingonga refuted the claims and gave details of what 'actually' transpired.
The DPP noted that contrary to Itumbi's remarks, the DPP sought custodial orders from the Chief Magistrate's court in Maua, Meru County but the application was declined and the suspect, Supuu wa Mioro, was released on Ksh20,000 cash bail and ordered to report to the police station every 14 days.
He also noted that the court set the application for mention on January 5, 2024.
"Owing to the fact that the whereabouts of abducted person was unknown, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), through the ODPP filed Criminal Miscellaneous application No E116 of 2023 seeking custodial orders pending completion of investigations," DPP Ingonga added.
While distancing the agency from the claims, the DPP further acknowledged that they issued orders to the DCI to undertake the investigations for the offence of the murder and submit the resultant inquiry file for perusal and further direction but the ODPP has not received the inquiry file into the offence of the murder to date.
The agency, however, assured Kenyans that they will give appropriate directions in accordance with the law whenever they gather the receipt of the inquiry file for the murder and any other charges are disclosed.
