Joseph Kuria Irungu popularly known as Jowie has been handed a death sentence.
Jowie was on Wednesday found guilty of murder of business woman Monica Kimani, a crime committed in 2018, in Nairobi.
In her verdict weeks after Jowie was found guilty of the murder charge, High Court judge Grace Nzioka said that the murder of Monica Kimani was intentional.
“It was not a defensive act. It was not out of provocation. It was planned, intended and executed,” said the judge, whom lawyer Donald Kipkorir says he has never seen laugh or smile in court.
“Based on what I have said, I have ordered that the first accused before this court, Joseph Kuria Irungu alias Jowie, shall suffer death as provided for the offence of murder under section 204 of the penal code of Kenya. That is the order of the court.”
The prosecution had all along urged the court to consider slapping the accused, with a death sentence.
Justice Nzioka also indicated that the court had established that Jowie was violent.
“It was the evidence of the guards at Royal Park estate where he (Jowie) was staying that he would not allow himself to be searched. He would brandish a gun and say ‘I work at State House’ and just drive off. It is the evidence of the brother of the deceased that at one time during the hearing of this case he (Jowie) blocked his car,” noted the judge.
He has two weeks to file a notice of appeal. Last month, Jowie was found guilty of the murder of Monica Kimani, while his co-accused, his former girlfriend Jackie Maribe was acquitted of the murder charge.
This week, Maribe was appointed head of communications at the Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management, led by Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria.
“It is true, except that I am not the one who appointed her but the Public Service Commission. It is the right thing to do for Jacque as the President Ruto administration is keen to demonstrate that there is nothing like life in ashes, this is a country of justice, equal opportunities and one that will lend you a hand to rise from your ruins,” said the CS.