BY SAM ALFAN.
Three suspects linked to the murder of slain Meru blogger Daniel Muthiani alias snipper will remain in custody pending conclusion of investigations into the killing.
The three suspects are part of six people being probed over the killing of the blogger late last year.
Boniface Njihia alias Dj Kaboom, Brian Mwenda alias Brayo and Grace Kathambi Kithinji were presented before Kibera senior resident magistrate William Lokopoiyot, who allowed the police to hold them for 21 days.
In the application, inspector Geoffrey Tigei, who is attached to the homicide department told the court that he is investigating the murder of snipper which occurred within Tharaka Nithi County on December 2, last year.
The court heard that Dj Kaboom and Njihia were arrested in Meru County while Kathambi was arrested in Muthaiga, Nairobi before they were presented in court.
Inspector Tigei told the court that the preliminary investigations have linked the three into the murder of snipper and placed Njihia alias Dj Kaboom and Mwenda alias Brayo at Mutonga River in Tharaka Nithi County, the scene of the murder.
In his affidavit, the investigating officer told the court that the team of investigators need more time to interrogate the suspects as they may have vital information that might lead to the arrest of other persons who were involved in the murder.
He added that the mobile phones recovered from the suspects are yet to be submitted to cyber lab for forensic analysis where the report will facilitate interrogation needed to be obtained. He said the suspects are likely to interfere with the investigations if released.
“Owing to complicity and nature of the case, the investigating officers will need ample time in order to carry out comprehensive and in-depth investigations with a view of retracting the last movement of the deceased person,” investigating officer told the court.
The officer further told the court the court that the prevailing situation on the ground is hostile to the suspects because it is in the public domain they were involved in the murder hence their security cannot be guaranteed.
“Justice to the victims and their families will not be attained if the three are released at this early stage,” detective Tigei told the Court.