A Nairobi court has sentenced Joseph Irungu alias Jowie to death for the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani.
Justice Grace Nzioka sentenced Jowie saying that the horrific murder of Kimani was intentional and not a defensive act.
It was not out of provocation. It was planned, intended and executed,” ruled Justice Nzioka.
The judge added that Jowie was ineligible for rehabilitation as it would not serve the purpose adding that the crime committed was beyond restitution.
“Based on everything I have said, I have ordered that the first accused person, being Joseph Kuria Irungu alias Jowie, shall suffer death as provided for the offense of murder under Section 204 of the Penal Code of Kenya,” Justice Nzioka ruled.
Justice Nzioka added that the crime had serious psychological and physical harm to the victim and the family.
In their submissions, the prosecution noted that there was no degree of provocation by the deceased to Jowie.
The prosecution stated that a serious weapon was used to commit the crime and the attempts made to conceal evidence.
In mitigation, Jowie pleaded for leniency saying he was a first time offender.
Jowie told the court that he was aware that nothing he could say would ease the pain Monica’s family felt. Not even financial compensation.
On the other hand, the probation officer’s report stated that Jowie had an antisocial personality, a thrill seeker and used his anger to control others.
He added that Jowie lacked stable partner relationships.
On 9th February 2024, the judge found Jowie guilty of murdering Monica Kimani who had come to Kenya from South Sudan where she ran her family business.
Monica was brutally murdered in her apartment in Kilimani, Nairobi on the night of 19th September 2018.
Monica’s body was found in a bathtub with her throat slit and her hands and legs tied with a cord.
Jowie had been charged alongside his ex fiance Jacque Maribe.
Maribe was acquitted of the charges due to insufficient evidence.