Burial Date Set For Slain Meru Blogger Bernard Muthiani Alias Sniper as Leaders Renew Justice Calls

• After close to two years of standoff, the remains of slain blogger Bernard Muthiani, alias Sniper, will be buried this weekend
• Sniper was brutally murder in December 2023, and his body burnt by unknown people; he was renowned political activist Meru
• Leaders from Igembe East have confirmed all plans are complete to have Sniper laid to rest at his native home

Igembe East Ward MCA Titus Murithi Mutiria has confirmed that the burial of slain Meru blogger Bernard Muthiani, popularly known as Sniper, will take place on August 22, 2025, at his home in Igembe East, Meru County.

The announcement comes months after the organisers indefinitely postponed the burial, previously scheduled for December 27, 2024, after a land dispute emerged.

The postponement raised a series of questions among Meru residents who called for the matter to be urgently resolved to give closure to the family.

Sniper disappeared on 2 December 2023 before his body was found on 17 December 2023.

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Where will Sniper's funeral be held

Sniper’s murder remains unresolved as authorities recently postponed the murder trial to October this year.

The court will now hear the case on 13th, 16th and 30th October 2025.

Speaking at the County Assembly premises, Mutiria said the burial service will begin at 10 am at Kabuitu Primary School.

Nominated MCAs Grace Kambura and Salome Mutua joined him and shared their views on the matter.

“I want to stand today saying that it is confirmed that on 22nd August we will lay to rest the late Bernard Muthiani alias Sniper,” said Mutiria.

The MCA termed Sniper as a fearless representative of the Meru people, comparing him to freedom fighters like Dedan Kimathi and General Mwariama.

He urged residents to turn out in large numbers to pay their last respects. Mutiria also stressed that residents should not mistake the burial for the end of the fight for justice, noting that accountability would still be pursued in court.

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“Sniper is a hero whose contribution is similar to that of Dedan Kimathi and Mwariama. So I urge all Meru residents to come to Kabuitu Primary School on that day so that we can go and lay our hero to rest,” added Mutiria.

In addition, Nominated MCA Grace Kambura encouraged residents to support Sniper’s family through prayers, noting that his death was tied to his advocacy for accountability rather than personal issues.

She said his courage should inspire Meru residents to demand that their leaders show integrity.

Kambura also cautioned leaders that misuse of power while in office often has consequences.

“Some of us leaders who don’t fear God while in leadership should know that what you do today shall be done to your children or to you,” said Kambura.

Nonetheless, Salome Mutua, another nominated MCA, described Sniper as a defender of good governance who was allegedly silenced for speaking truth to power.

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She termed his murder a brutal act while challenging President William Ruto to ensure that the courts serve justice.

“We know that someone brutally murdered Sniper, and the authorities must bring all those involved to book. I urge President Ruto, who is asking us to support ‘two-term’, to first ensure that Sniper gets justice. If a young person like Sniper, who stood for good governance, cannot find justice, how then are we expected to support ‘ two-term’ ?” wondered Salome.

Salome emphasised that the outcome of the court proceedings in Sniper’s case would serve as a crucial indicator of the government’s dedication to justice and accountability.

What happened to Sniper?

The blogger was discovered dead on December 17 after close to three weeks of going missing.

A postmortem carried out on the slain Meru blogger revealed that he died from stranglation.

Speaking during a media briefing in December 2023, at the Marimanti Level 4 Hospital Mortuary, government pathologist Johansen Oduor reported that Sniper had visible neck injuries.

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He noted that the body exhibited signs of oxygen deprivation, broken ribs, and head trauma—findings consistent with stranglation prior to being disposed of in a river.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) filed murder charges against two individuals.

Among those implicated was Murangiri Kenneth Guantai, also known by the alias Tali, who was named as a suspect in the murder of Sniper.

Guantai, a law enforcement official, is the brother of former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

Another individual, identified as Kirimi, was also charged after investigators determined he had been driving the vehicle that was later recovered.

Source: TUKO.co.ke