Maribe Acquittal: Citizen TV Cuts Short Itumbi's Interview [VIDEO]
Moments before Itumbi spoke, Maribe expressed relief after she was acquitted in the murder case whereas Jowie was found guilty of the murder and will face sentencing on March 8, 2024.
Royal Media Services (RMS) TV station, Citizen TV cut short an interview featuring digital strategist Dennis Itumbi who was speaking outside the Milimani Law Courts on Friday, February 9 following the ruling between Jowie Irungu and Jacque Maribe in the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani.
Moments before Itumbi spoke, Maribe expressed relief after she was acquitted in the murder case whereas Jowie was found guilty of the murder and will face sentencing on March 8, 2024.
When it was his turn, however, Itumbi passionately accused former Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti of allegedly mishandling the murder case and wrongfully arresting Maribe.
Here is the video:
The moment Citizen TV cut short Dennis Itumbi's interview following the ruling between Jowie Irungu and Jacque Maribe on the murder of Monica Kimani#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/QRTDjKjoY9 — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) February 9, 2024
"This country for a few years had a rogue DCI boss called George Kinoti. George Kinoti was behind the whole of this case, was behind the arrest which...," said the President William Ruto ally before the country's biggest TV station muted him and panned to the special graphics for the Kimani murder case.
Nonetheless, he continued his attack on Kinoti on his X and Facebook accounts, accusing him of craving media attention and that Maribe "was a pawn in his unfortunate game of nonsensical play."
"Today, the truth has unveiled its brilliance, dispelling the darkness. The darkness of Kinoti lies and outright script aimed for Media headlines and nothing else," he stated in part. Kinoti has yet to respond to his claims by the time of publication.
Nonetheless, Itumbi lauded the court ruling noting that it had justified his stance to support Maribe.
"Let the record reflect that you have always been innocent. The system failed you and the rogue people who added you in this case just for headlines and creation of a circus should answer and you must not let them walk out of the mess without questions," he added.
Maribe on her part, though visibly overjoyed at how the circumstances of the case swung in her favour, opted for brevity and left journalists hanging by quoting the Bible verse of John 8:32 which promises freedom to those who speak the truth.
"Go read John 8:32 for you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free," said Maribe, who was captured hugging Maribe after the ruling.
Maribe's parents meanwhile expressed gratitude to everyone who supported their family during the case proceedings, emphasizing the emotional and financial challenges they endured during this time.
"On behalf of the Maribe family, I want to express our thanks to the almighty God. It has been a tortuous journey. We have suffered emotionally and financially but we thank God that it has come to this kind of end.
"We were never in doubt about the outcome. I want to thank everyone who has supported our family during this period," they said.
Joseph Irungu alias Jowie, Maribe's co-accused, was however found guilty of murder during the trial.
"Having considered the evidence in this matter it is the finding of this court that the prosecution has adduced adequate evidence and has met the threshold...It is the finding of this court that the first accused person murdered the deceased," ruled Justice Grace Nzioka.
Dramatic scenes unfolded outside the courts as Jowie's sister excused herself from the crowd and broke down uncontrollably at the stairs.
Jowie Irungu's sister cries uncontrollably following the ruling on February 9, 2024. /VIRAL TEA KE
On his part, Jowie, upon hearing the ruling as the first accused person, could not help but wipe a tear that had slipped from his left eye. Wearing a black musk and a blue Afrocentric shirt, he bowed his head down while sitting next to Jacque Maribe in a yellow and white suit at the chambers.
Jacque Maribe on the other hand, who was the second accused, heaved a heavy sigh of relief when her verdict was read. When the not guilty verdict was delivered, Maribe raised her head, staring at the court roof and closed her eyes for a moment.