Joseph Irungu ‘Jowie’ sentenced to death over murder of Monica Kimani

“It was not a defensive act. It was not out of provocation. It was planned, intended and executed,” Justice Nzioka ruled. “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 court, while issuing the judgment, highlighted submissions made by the prosecution which argued that Irungu caused “serious and grievous harm to the deceased” using a dangerous weapon.

She also noted the intricate planning of the offence, indicating that the murder was not accidental.

“He (Jowie) lacks stable partner relationships. He has antisocial patterns manifested by living on the edge. He is impulsive and a thrill seeker. He uses anger or aggression to control others. Has a double personality trait,” read the probation report cited by the judge.

Justice Nzioka also noted that the court had established that Irungu, who underwent tactical military training in Dubai, was indeed 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,” said the judge.

Irungu was in February found guilty of the murder of Kimani, who was brutally murdered in her Lamuria Gardens apartment in Nairobi on September 19, 2018.

Justice Nzioka ruled that the prosecution had adduced adequate evidence and proved beyond reasonable doubt that Jowie indeed killed Monica.