Joseph Irungu, also known as Jowie, was found guilty of murdering businesswoman Monica Kimani in her Nairobi apartment in September 2018, in a case that shocked and captivated the nation.
However, the motive behind the brutal killing remains a mystery, as Jowie failed to explain why he slit Monica’s throat and left her body in a bathtub with candles around it.
Jowie, who previously worked as a security officer for a private firm in Dubai and provided VIP security for some Kenyan politicians, was convicted by High Court Judge Grace Nzioka on Friday, February 9, 2024, after a lengthy trial that lasted more than two years.
The judge said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Jowie, with others not before the court, murdered Monica, who had links to South Sudan, where she ran a family business.
The judge rejected Jowie’s defense that he did not know Monica before her death, and that he was at her house on the night of the murder to collect a debt from a friend.
The judge said Jowie’s version of events was “an insincere, untenable afterthought” and that he lied to the court and the police.
The judge also dismissed Jowie’s claim that he was shot in the chest by unknown assailants on the same night, and that his ex-fiancé, former TV presenter Jacque Maribe, took him to hospital.
The judge said Jowie inflicted the gunshot wound on himself to create an alibi and divert attention from the murder.
The judge also said Jowie used a stolen identity card to gain access to Monica’s residence at Lamuria Garden Apartments, and that he was the last person seen with her alive.
The judge also relied on the testimony of several witnesses, including a security guard, a taxi driver, and a housekeeper, who identified Jowie and the clothes he was wearing on the night of the murder.
The judge also said Jowie had a gun with the intention of subduing Monica, and that he did not “give her even one minute to survive” and intended “instant death”.
Jowie’s ex-partner, Maribe, who was also charged with the murder, was acquitted by the judge, who said the prosecution failed to prove that she was involved in the crime or that she aided and abetted Jowie.
However, the judge said Maribe should be prosecuted for giving false information to the police, as she tried to conceal evidence by burning Jowie’s clothes and lying about his whereabouts.
Maribe, who was a popular news anchor at Citizen TV, walked out of the courtroom in a bright yellow suit, celebrating her acquittal, while Jowie remained in the dock, awaiting his sentencing on March 8, 2024.
Jowie faces a mandatory death penalty, unless the judge exercises discretion and imposes a lesser sentence.
The murder of Monica, who was 28 years old, sparked public outrage and interest, as it exposed the dark side of the high-flying lifestyles of some young Kenyans, who were involved in dubious deals and connections.
Monica had returned to Kenya from South Sudan, where she worked for her family’s business, which supplied tents, chairs, and catering services to various organizations, including the United Nations.
She had also reportedly met with some prominent South Sudanese politicians and businessmen before her death, raising speculation that she may have had some secrets or enemies that led to her murder.
However, none of these theories were substantiated or pursued by the investigators or the prosecution, leaving the motive behind the murder unresolved.
Jowie, who is 32 years old, has maintained his innocence and said he will appeal the verdict.
He has also accused the police and the media of framing him and ruining his reputation.
He has also expressed his regret for breaking up with Maribe, whom he said he still loves and hopes to reconcile with.
Maribe, who is 34 years old, has also denied any involvement in the murder, and said she was only a victim of love.
She has also said she has forgiven Jowie and wishes him well.
She has also resumed her career as a journalist and a political commentator, after being released on bail in 2019.
