Maribe and ‘Jowie’ Irungu in The Dock As Trial Begins

Citizen TV’s Jacque Maribe and her ex-fiance Joseph Irungu aka Jowie’s trial opens today at the High Court in Nairobi, in a case where the two were charged with the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani on the night of September 19, 2018 at her Lamuria Gardens apartment.

Maribe was freed on bond while Jowie is still in custody after two failed bail applications. The two, who are key suspects in the murder, will face the death penalty if found guilty, according to the Penal Code Section 204.

Monica Kimani is said to have had a close relationship with South Sudanese Governor Awet Akot, who was allegedly funding her lavish lifestyle in Nairobi, and on the fateful night she is reported to have flown into Kenya with large sums of money.

The trial will seek to answer these questions: what was the motive of the murder? Did the accused have any prior relationship with the late Ms Kimani?

Lead prosecutor, Catherine Mwaniki told the court two weeks ago that she has 32 witnesses, four of which she says are protected and will be first to testify, while five are expert witnesses.

Prosecution witnesses that are expected to testify are a security guard on duty at Lamuria Gardens apartments, the gardener who entered Ms Kimani’s house and found her dead, and Mr George Kimani, Monica’s brother.

Mr Brian Kasaine, a neighbour at Langata, whose gun Jowie allegedly used to shoot himself and Mr Jennings Orlando, Jowie’s friend will also testify as they agreed to work with the police as state witnesses.

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