Joseph Irungu, alias ‘Jowie’ has been found guilty of murdering businesswoman Monica Kimani in a judgement issued on Friday by Grace Nzioka. Sentencing was however pushed to March 08, 2024.
His co-accused, Jacque Maribe has however been acquitted.
Monica’s body was found at her Lamuria Gardens Apartment on Kitale Lane off Denis Pritt Road in Kilimani in 2018. Irungu alias Jowie was arrested and subsequently charged with the murder along with his then girlfriend, TV news anchor Jackie Maribe.
The prosecution called 35 witnesses who testified against the two.
In her judgement, Justice Nzioka said that Jowie that people who were present at Lamuria Gardens on the day that Monica was murdered positively identified Jowie who came wearing a white Kanzu and brown khaki shorts.
The brown khaki shorts, according to the prosecution, had blood stains and upon being subjected to forensic examination, the results showed the blood belonged to Monica Kimani.
The judge also agreed with the prosecution that Jowie stole an identity card at Royal Park Gardens in Langata which he used to access Lamuria Gardens on the night of the murder.
Additionally, the judge agreed with witness evidence that Jowie was seen with a gun obtained from his neighbour Brian Kasaine on the day that Monica was murdered.
With regards to Maribe, the judge said that she changed her statements a number of times on what transpired at their house in Royal Park Gardens after Monica Kimani was murdered. The judge said that Maribe lied to the police and the court on how Jowie ended up with a gunshot wound.
However, the judge ruled that Maribe was not present when Monica Kimani was killed and did not participate in the murder.
Jowie’s bond was subsequently cancelled and he was incarcerated until 08th of March 2024 when sentencing will be done.
