Murder: Face of Monica Kimani's killer

Former television anchor Jacqueline Wanjiru Maribe radiated in vibrant yellow attire yesterday, and for those unacquainted with the symbolism, this choice of colour carries profound significance.

In various cultures, the dream of yellow is often associated with triumph over challenges. Intriguingly, in Hinduism, yellow embodies the essence of Lord Vishnu, symbolising purity, victory, and chastity. It is a colour embraced for its sacred connotations.

Meanwhile, in the pages of the Bible, yellow stands as a symbol of preciousness, hinting at something invaluable.

For Maribe, could her bold embrace of yellow signify a triumphant emergence from the lingering specter of a murder case that once cast a shadow over her blossoming career?

On the flip side, Joseph Kuria, also known as Jowie, opted for a different palette, donning a print shirt. Splashed with pigments of green, hints of lavender, and a touch of blue, his ensemble added a contrasting and intriguing visual dimension to the day's narrative.

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He also wore a black face mask.

However, a maroon cap and a white kanzu he wore on September 19, 2018, nailed him for the murder of Monica Nyawira Kimani at Lamuria Gardens apartment in Kilimani, Nairobi County.

High Court Judge Grace Nzioka found that Jowie stole a casual labourer’s identification card, used it to access Monicah’s apartment. 

He then used a borrowed gun as part of his plan for murder to subdue her.

The judge painted Jowie as a merchant of lies who was hell bent to conceal his tracks, including a tale to a friend that the kanzu was meant for a meeting with some muslims.

She also said how Monicah was killed was akin to a goat slaughter. The killing was done by a professional. Someone who had undergone military training.  

Nzioka was of the view that Jowie's conduct and conversations around military and VIP guard was an indication that he must have had such training. 

“I find the first accused person herein guilty of murder of Monicah Nyawira,” she ruled.

Maribe was a household name and a TV siren. The tragedy opened up her love life when she was placed on the dock alongside Jowie.

In court, just before Justice Nzioka got in, she went out of the courtroom to catch air but was glued to her phone all along. When her lawyer Katwa Kigen stepped into the courtroom, they embraced each other.   

The judge found that the prosecution failed to put her in the scene of crime. She acquitted Maribe after finding that there was no evidence linking her to the murder.

"The result is that the prosecution did not adduce enough evidence for this court to find the second accused person guilty of the offence of murder of Monica Nyawira Kimani on the night of September 19, 2018,” ruled Justice Nzioka.

However, the judge said that the two contradicting statement on Jowie’s shooting was an issue of giving false information to officers in public service.

She was of the view that a police report Maribe made on Jowie’s shooting was a lie. Nzioka noted that initially Maribe had said he was shot by thugs while going home but recanted the same in a second one.

The judge said Maribe told police that he was shot inside their house. This, according to the judge ought to have attracted a charge of lying to a public official.

“The statement was given to a public official and a person who was investigating the incident. It is my considered view that the charge brought against the second person was not a proper charge,” ruled Justice Nzioka.

When the case started, save for the few introductions by Kigen and Prof Hassan Nadwa who is Jowie’s lawyer, the remaining hours were a one-person affair- the Judge.

She observed that the prosecution had proved that Monicah was killed and the probable object of murder was a sharp item.

The doctor who did the autopsy ruled out strangulation but said that owing to the blood that was oozing from her throat, she was slit with a sharp object.

Justice Nzioka said that it was a case of unlawful homicide.

The prosecution argued that Jowie used a stolen ID to access the premises on September 19, 2018.

On the other hand, Jowie denied knowing Monicah.

He also argued Dominic Harun was also at Monicah's house the same day. At the same time, he asserted since Harun was in Monicah’s house for 10 minutes, there is no way such a murder would happen in such a short time. 

He also submitted that the identification card did not bear same details as his.

Jowie also claimed that Monica’s Sudanese boyfriend could have also committed the heinous act as there was a message on her phone from her asking another man to go help ‘her to sleep.’ 

According to Jowie, forensic evidence showed that there were two other unknown males who had also accessed the place.

Jowie also argued that he did not drive Maribe’s car but had his own vehicle and that all others who were there were not identified.

However, Justice Nzioka ruled out that he did not know Monicah. She said that George Kimani, the deceased’s brother told the court that they shared a class in college.

At the same time, Kimani alongside Jowie had visited Monicah at her house house. There was a mobile conversation between the deceased and the accused.

The court was of the view that on September 17, 2018, a casual worker lost his ID while searching for an job and Royal Park Estate in Lang'ata.

The judge found that on the other hand, a security guard who identified Jowie stated that he used the casual labourer’s ID to identify himself.

Maribe’s house help known as Pamela said that Jowie left the house in brown shorts and a maroon cap on that day at 4 pm.

The other person who met him was a person identified as Jenix who affirmed Pamela’s testimony that Jowie was in the same clothes.

Jenix added that he saw Jowie remove a white Kanzu and wore it. This was at Roadhouse Club Lang'ata.

Justice Nzioka said that Jowie wore the white kanzu before he went to Monicah’s house.

She observed that there were remnants of white material pieces that belonged to the kanzu that he burned.

However, Nzioka said that in as much Jowie said the shirt produced in court was not his, there was no contestation on the maroon cap.

At the same time, Justice Nzioka said he was identified by the security guard who was manning Monicah’s apartment in a white kanzu.

In addition, Mr Lee Owen, who was also in Monicah’s house also identified the same attire.

“There is evidence that the first accused was within the vicinity of Dennis Prit. He was also within the scene of crime,” said Justice Nzioka.

Brian Kasaine told the court that on September 19,2018, Jowie had his gun and did not return it for two days.

Outside court, Maribe and her family expressed relief saying that after years of agony, the court chose to believe in her innocence.

"I don't need to say anything but I'll say go read John 8:32. For you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Thank you," said Maribe.