Jacque Maribe acquitted of murder charges, court cites lack of evidence

By Antynet Ford

Former Citizen TV Journalist Jacque Maribe has been acquitted in the Monica Kimani murder case. Maribe was acquitted by Justice Grace Nzioka of the Milimani Law Courts on Friday after the DPP failed to provide enough evidence.

Justice Nzioka stated that the charge brought against Maribe was not properly placed. “It is my considered view that the charge brought against the second accused person was not the proper charge.” She said.

“Was there any offense committed when the second accused person stated the investigating officer at Lang’ata police station which turned out to be not true? I say no more. The office of the DPP knows their mandate. The result is that the prosecution did not adduce enough evidence for this court to find the second accused person guilty of the offense of murder of Monica Nyawira Kimani on the night of September 19, 2018.” Nzioka said.

However, Nzioka said the prosecution adduced sufficient evidence and had met the threshold that Jowie Irungu was guilty. She said the first accused person had ‘know-how on how to kill’.

“The person who killed the deceased did not intend to give her even one minute to survive. It is my considered opinion and finding that the perpetrator intended instant death.” she said.

“All this evidence taken leaves a strong conclusion that Irungu murdered Monica Kimani.” Maribe was the second accused person in the case which has been going on for six years.

Monica Kimani’s body was found at her Lamuria Gardens Apartment which is located on Kitale Lane off Denis Pritt Road in Kilimani.

Jowie and Jacque Maribe have been on trial since 2018, with the prosecution had called 35 witnesses while the defence did not call any witnesses.