Monica Kimani murder: Jowie Irungu found guilty, Jacque Maribe acquitted
Joseph Irungu popularly known as Jowie has been found guilty of the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani.
The court, in a ruling rendered by Justice Grace Nzioka, found that businesswoman Monica Kimani did not die a natural death, but was rather killed as proved by the prosecution.
“It is the finding of this court that the first accused person (Joseph Irungu) murdered Monica Kimani. I find the first accused person guilty as charged,” the judge ruled.
Adding that; "Monica Kimani didn't die a natural death nor an accidental death. Therefore, this is a clear case of homicide. The finding of this court is that the prosecution has proved that the death was unlawful."
In her ruling, Justice Nzioka found Jowie guilty of lying to the court by claiming that he did not know Monica before the murder.
The court found that Jowie was known to the deceased because they were together at Kenya Polytechnic, in the same class.
"It is the finding of this court that the evidence by the first accused person (Joseph Irungu) that he didn't know the deceased prior to her death is an afterthought and is false. The first accused person was known to the deceased prior to her death," the judge ruled.
The court also found that Jowie stole the identification card of Dominic Bisera Haron two days before the murder. He is said to have used the ID to access Lamuria Garden apartments where Monica resided.
"Dominic Bisera lost his identity card on 17th September 2018 when he went to Royal Park Estate to look for casual work. There is evidence that the person who went to the deceased house on 19th September 2018 produced an ID in the name of Dominic Bisera. A witness identified the first accused person on the parade as Dominic Bisera," the judge ruled.
The court also ruled that Joseph Irungu alias Jowie was the last person seen with Monica before she was found dead.
On the gun that Jowie possessed, which he "accidentally" shot himself with, the judge ruled that it was used in subduing the deceased before the murder.
"By the 19th of September 2019, the first accused person (Joseph Irungu) was in possession of a gun belonging to Brian Kasaine. I am in concurrence with the submissions by the prosecution that the gun was intended and used for the purpose of subduing the deceased," the judge ruled.
Following the court's findings, Jowie's bail terms have been canceled until March 8, when he will be sentenced.
"I'm cancelling your bond. You will be held in custody until the 8th of March," Justice Nzioka ruled.
On the other hand, the court acquitted Jowie's co-accused, the former TV journalist Jacque Maribe, of the murder charge.
