Why Jowie wanted a non-custodial sentence in murder case

Joseph Irungu alias Jowie in court for sentencing in the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani on March 13, 2024. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Before his sentencing by Justice Grace Nzioka, murder convict Joseph Irungu alias Jowie had pleaded with the court to grant him a non-custodial sentence in the Monica Kimani murder case.

The deceased’s family had called on the court to punish Jowie to hang, claiming he was a deceptive, violent, and provocative man.

But in his mitigation letter read before the court by Justice Nzioka, Jowie cited the Supreme Court which had declared the death sentence unconstitutional.

“Although the victim's family is calling for a death sentence, the father of the victim, Bishop Paul Garama was publicly heard saying he will not take vengeance so the court should consider his views. He invited the court to consider that he is a first offender and was convicted purely on circumstantial evidence and the period he has spent in custody,” said Nzioka. 

Jowie further stated that he was aware that nothing he said could relieve the family's pain and that the ‘less he says, the better’.

“He expresses his sadness at such a tragic loss of life in extreme circumstances bordering on an act of absolute madness that is beyond understanding even to him. He says that it is his prayer that the deceased's family will find peace and that her soul will rest in eternal peace.” 

“He understands the terrible fear and pain that the deceased must have undergone at the hands of the perpetrator and he cannot perceive the same. He does appreciate that monetary compensation cannot relieve the pain of the loss of a loved one,” she read.

Justice Grace Nzioka: It is his (Jowie) prayer that the court can mete out a custodial sentence. He mentions that while the victim's family is advocating for a death sentence in their submission, the victim's father, Bishop Paul Garama, publicly stated that he will not seek… pic.twitter.com/gOHrDMsosL

— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) March 13, 2024

Jowie has been sentenced to death for the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani which occurred at her Lamuria home, Kilimani in 2018.

"It was not a defensive act. It was not out of provocation. It was planned, intended, and executed," ruled the judge. 

Justice Nzioka based her sentence on Section 204 of the Penal Code which states “Any person who is convicted of murder shall be sentenced to death.”