Monica Kimani Murder Case: Court Changes Ruling Date Of Jowie Irungu, Jacque Maribe

The High Court has announced that the ruling on former Citizen TV anchor Jackie Maribe and Joseph Irungu alias Jowie's murder case has been moved forward to Friday, February 9 from Friday, March 15, 2024.

According to court officials, all the parties agreed for the judgment to be delivered on Friday at 9:00 am.

Maribe and Jowie are accused of participating in the murder of Monica Kimani, who was killed at her apartment on September 19, 2018. 

The ruling was initially set to be delivered on Friday, January 26 but Maribe was a no-show at the courts owing to reported illness.

Lady Justice Grace Nzioka directed that Maribe be produced in court despite the first accused, Jowie, appearing in court.

Reports had indicated that Maribe claimed to be unwell and on her way to the hospital. However, the judge did not buy the alleged illness in what was perceived as a delay tactic by her defence lawyers.

"There's no provision for virtual today and if you tell me you're unwell, I don't know where you are. The integrity of the court proceedings must be observed. I would rather have an open court appearance," she explained. 

"When do we deliver this judgment? I have looked at my diary. The court is not available for the whole of January and February."

"I have taken time off the course from February 8 to March 8, 2024, to write judgments. I am willing to say that all parties are to be available for March 15, 2024. I will need adequate time to deliver this judgment," she added. 

The judge is still set to rule on whether Maribe and Irungu are guilty or not guilty before setting a date for the final verdict.

Kimani's murder case has dragged in court since 2018, with Maribe and Jowie lined up as the main suspects. Jowie on May 11, 2023, denied wearing a pair of shorts whose DNA profile was initially generated from the scanning of blood stains on it that matched that of Kimani.

While defending himself against allegations of murdering Monica, Jowie told Justice Nzioka at a Nairobi court that the pair of cream blood-stained shorts police had claimed was his did not belong to him.

The prosecution had argued that the garment, which was retrieved from the house of former Citizen TV anchor Jacque Maribe at the Royal Park estate in Lang'ata, had Kimani's blood. 

"It's not my short. Mine was brown in colour similar to the Nike shoes I wore on the material day," said Jowie.

Joseph Irungu alias Jowie defends himself in court on May 11, 2023. /DAILY NATION