Jowie released on Sh2m bail after 18 months in remand
Bernice Mbugua @BerniceMuhindi
Joseph Irungu alias Jowie, who was charged alongside former Citizen TV journalist Jacque Maribe with the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani, was yesterday released on a Sh2 million cash bail or a Sh3 million bond.
Jowie, who has been in remand for 18 months, got a reprieve yesterday after High Court Judge James Wakiaga ruled that there were no compelling reasons to continue detaining him at this stage as key witnesses have already testified.
“The circumstances have already changed since the key witnesses have already testified, no compelling reasons to continue detaining him further,” he ruled.
The judge also noted that the strength of the prosecution case as argued by DPP, is not a ground alone to deny him bail.
However, Justice Wakiaga barred Jowie from commenting on the case through all media platforms.
He was also directed to report to his area Chief every last Thursday of every month and the Chief to make monthly reports to the court’s deputy registrar.
Jowie (pictured) was also ordered to deposit his passport in court and was warned against getting a new passport or any other travel document pending his trial.
“If he does not adhere to these bail terms, his bond terms will the cancelled,” ruled the judge.
Maribe was released on October 30, 2018 on Sh2 million surety bail with an alternative of a Sh1 million cash bail with three sureties of a similar amount.
Fifteen witnesses have so far testified in the case.
Monica was found dead at her rented apartment at Lamura Gardens in Nairobi in September 2018.
The body was found by her brother George Kimani after his parents and himself failed to reach her on her mobile phone the whole night.
She had arrived from South Sudan on September 19.
On November 28, Jowie filed an application seeking the court to review its earlier decision denying him bail arguing that protected witnesses had already testified.
He also argued that he had a fixture abode as his parents were willing to accommodate him.
Justice Wakiaga had declined to release Jowie on bond two times on various grounds, among them that he lacked a permanent address and that he was a flight risk who was likely to abscond the jurisdiction of the court.
