Sniper disappeared on December 2, and his body was discovered on December 16. The blogger had criticised officials in Meru county on his social media accounts.
Muthiani was not the last casualty due to political blogging. The year 2024 started with the chilling news of the killing of blogger Peris Mugera. She had gone missing for a week before her body was discovered on the road at the Makutano-Sagana Highway. She was a political activist and commentator in Tharaka Nithi county.
The chain of mysterious deaths continued with the loss of Duke Nyabaro, a Kisii-based teacher, blogger and activist. He was found dead on the morning of April 7, his body hanging outside a kiosk with a belt around his neck. The autopsy report indicated he was strangled to death.
One thing all victims had in common was their outspoken commentary against authorities on corruption, political opinions and/or human rights abuses.
Freedom of expression is provided for by the Constitution and other national, regional and international human rights instruments. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides for the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights adopted the declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa with the aim of promoting the free flow of information and ideas and greater respect for the right to freedom of expression and access to information. Freedom of expression is stipulated under Article 33 of the Kenyan Constitution.
And it’s murder.
Authorities, however, are still hell-bent on protecting themselves by any means, including murder.
And it sends a warning to other critics of those in power.
Is freedom of expression under threat in Kenya? Is there a systematic approach to shrink freedom of expression further?
Bloggers play a pivotal role in a democratic society. It is through freedom of expression that human rights violations, corruption and ill practices have been brought to the attention of citizens. The right to freedom of expression is a tool for citizens' quest for other rights, eg, lowering the cost of living, repairing roads and improving healthcare, among other issues.
Even when a blogger crosses the line and engages in libel, hate speech, incitement to violence or endangers national security, there are legal methods to discipline or punish them.
It goes without saying the right to freedom of expression must be promoted and protected at all times for the people to be guaranteed other rights. Importantly, this will avoid the country's descent into the dark times witnessed in Kenya’s history.
The three deaths are shrouded in mystery. This is an attempt to hide shady dealings, and to spread fear to anyone who might come forward with criticism.
Independent voices and civic actors must step up and call out the perpetrators of these killings. Loud silence when one blogger is killed will likely encourage more killings. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We must stand up, individually and collectively, for the right of freedom of expression.
Let the government sponsor a prompt, thorough and independent investigation of all the pending cases of the disappearances and murders of bloggers.
Additionally, new national and county laws and policies should be enacted to ensure bloggers are protected to contribute to public debate effectively and without fear. We hope the perpetrators of the killings will be brought to book and the deaths will end at three.
Law students at Mount Kenya University
