NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 9 – The High Court has rebuffed assertions made by Jowie Irungu, the primary defendant in the Monica Kimani murder case, that the crime could not have been executed within a 10-minute timeframe.
High Court Judge Grace Nzioka, while delivering the verdict on Friday, emphasized that the court’s decision was grounded in the testimony of a General Service Unit (GSU) officer attached to the elite Recce Squad, who drove Jowie to the murder scene.
The encounter between the two individuals occurred at Roadhouse Club near Royal Park Estate, where Jowie resided with Maribe, and lasted until 8:00 pm, after which they parted ways at 8:30 pm.
Justice Nzioka elaborated that investigative findings revealed that it would take less than 15 minutes to walk to Kimani’s residence, allowing sufficient time to perpetrate the crime.
“If really indeed this first accused person left Jennings at 8:30 he would not have taken more than 15 minutes to be in the deceased’s house and this corroborates the evidence of Jennings that by 9:00 o’clock he was in the deceased’s house,” said Nzioka.
“My finding is the argument that I(Jowie)could not have killed in 10 mins is not tenable.”
Monica was discovered murdered in her apartment in Kilimani, Nairobi, back in 2018, leading to the subsequent arrest and charging of Maribe and Irungu.
Throughout the lengthy trial, both defendants have consistently denied any involvement in Monica’s death.
Monica was discovered murdered in her apartment in Kilimani, Nairobi, back in 2018, leading to the subsequent arrest and charging of Maribe and Irungu.
Throughout the lengthy trial, both defendants have consistently denied any involvement in Monica’s death.
The verdict, which has faced several adjournments, including a recent delay due to Maribe’s illness, will now be delivered Friday following a consent agreement reached by all parties involved ti move it from March 15.
Jowie, as the first accused person in the trial, faces charges directly linked to Monica’s murder, with Maribe being charged as an accomplice.
Monica’s body was found at her residence in Lamuria Gardens Apartment, situated on Kitale Lane off Denis Pritt Road in Kilimani.
The prosecution presented 35 witnesses during the trial, each contributing to the case against the defendants.
Despite their denials and claims of innocence, the state maintains that the evidence presented is sufficient to secure convictions against Maribe and Irungu.
