ODPP Moves To Cut Short Jacque Maribe's Freedom

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Tuesday, February 13 moved to file a notice of appeal against the High Court judgment that acquitted former Citizen TV anchor, Jacque Maribe in the murder case of businesswoman Monica Kimani.

ODPP, led by Renson Ingonga, indicated that it was dissatisfied with the ruling that set Maribe free at the expense of her co-accused, Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, who was found guilty of the murder.

“Take notice that the Republic, the intended Appellant herein, being dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court of Kenya at Nairobi (Hon. G. Nzioka), delivered in Nairobi on February 9, 2024, appeals to the Court of Appeal against the part of the judgment acquitting the 2nd Accused Person,” the notice read in part.

On Friday, February 9, ODPP indicated that Maribe was still at fault despite being acquitted, with the likelihood that she would still face charges for providing false information to a public officer.

"The second accused Jackie Maribe has been acquitted in the matter however, the court finds that she is culpable of being charged for providing false information to a public officer contrary to section 129 of the Penal Code," stated the ODPP in part.

According to Section 129 (a) of the Penal Code "Whoever gives to any person employed in the public service any information which he knows or believes to be false, intending thereby to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, the person employed in the public service—is guilty of a misdemeanour."

This therefore means that should the charges against her be substantiated, Maribe risks an imprisonment term of three years.

Earlier, Maribe’s lead lawyer Katwa Kigen insisted that no evidence showed that the former TV anchor had a motive to kill Monica Kimani.

“She was not at the scene. She didn’t know how she had no reason to wonder if I did. And in a way we blamed the prosecution for maintaining an insistence on this case when it had no basis,” he said.

Minutes after Justice Grace Nzioka delivered the ruling acquitting Maribe of the murder charge, Kigen stated that since the murder trial began in 2018 his client maintained her innocence.

“We want to say that throughout the period, her conscience has been clear, and the evidence has never at any time suggested that she was implicated,” Kigen stated.

Nonetheless, Lady Justice Grace Nzioka in her judgement ruled that the prosecution adduced adequate evidence which met the threshold and after listening to the testimonies from the 35 prosecution witnesses.

"The court notes that it was satisfied with the prosecution witnesses’ evidence that proved beyond reasonable doubt that the first accused Jowie Irungu intentionally and willingly committed the offence," added the ODPP.