The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Wednesday, January 3, revealed that it was withdrawing a case filed at Maua Law Courts in relation to the murder of Daniel Muthian Bernard alias Bernard.
In the Miscellaneous Application, E166 of 2023, filed at Maua Law Courts, DPP had sought to detain the key suspect until investigations were completed.
Additionally, DPP Renson Ingonga gave Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome seven days to avail the murder case file.
Withdrawing the Maua application, the DPP announced that the office would be moving forward with Miscellaneous Application No. E001 of 2024 filed before the Chief Magistrate's Court in Kiambu.
In the Kiambu application made on January 2, 2024, the DPP sought custodial orders for a period of 21 days, pending the conclusion of investigations into the murder of Sniper.
“In the meantime, the DPP has Constituted a Team of Senior Prosecutors to guide the investigations,” a statement from the DPP read in part.
The DPP further assured Kenyans that the perpetrators shall be held liable irrespective of their status in society.
“In addition, pursuant to the provisions of Article 157 (4) of the Constitution of Kenya, the DPP has directed the Inspector General of the National Police Service to forward the resultant Murder Inquiry File to his Office within 7 days from the date hereof,” DPP directed further.
He added that after receiving the file, he would review the facts and evidence contained therein in line with the Constitution of Kenya.
Thereafter, he would issue appropriate directions concerning the matter.
A postmortem conducted on the body of Sniper revealed that he died of Asphyxia Secondary to Manual Strangulation.
Before his death, Sniper was a critical voice in the politics of the Upper Eastern region.
Following his death, different politicians led by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria called for speedy investigations into the case.
