The High Court in Nairobi is set to deliver its long-awaited judgment this morning in the murder case involving Joshua Irungu, also known as Jowie, and former TV news anchor Jacqueline Maribe.
The two individuals, who were once romantically involved, stand accused of the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani. Ms Kimani was tragically hacked to death at her residence in Nairobi back in September 2018.
Lady Justice Grace Nzioka will be presiding over the verdict, marking the culmination of a trial that concluded in July.
During the trial’s final phase, the defense presented their closing arguments, with Irungu and Maribe, pleading for their acquittal.
They contended that the prosecution had failed to establish their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in the brutal murder of Monica, whose life was tragically cut short in the confines of her Lamuria Gardens home.
Lawyers pushing for acquittal
Maribe’s lawyer, Katwa Kigen, made a particular point that none of the witnesses had implicated the former news anchor throughout the course of the trial.
“The case is built upon circumstantial evidence; there is no direct evidence against the second accused person,” Kigen stated.
Furthermore, Kigen emphasized that there was no indication that Maribe had any knowledge of Monica’s existence. He also said that no DNA evidence linked her to the murder of Monica.
“There was no correlation between the blood found at the crime scene and the accused, and there is no confession that would imply her involvement in Monica’s demise,” he asserted.
“There is no telephone data demonstrating any communication between Maribe and the deceased. Maribe has provided a detailed timeline of her whereabouts. She has also named the individuals she was with at the time of Monica’s alleged murder. The prosecution has corroborated both the location and timing. So, where is the entry point for her culpability?” the lawyer added.
The case is built upon circumstantial evidence; there is no direct evidence against the second accused person
Katwa Kigen, Jackie Maribe’s lawyer
