Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, who was found guilty of the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani, has been sentenced to death.
During the proceedings along Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday, March 13, Justice Grace Nzioka indicated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Jowie Irungu in court on February 9, 2024. /DAILY NATION
In making her determination, she considered three factors; how the offence was committed, the consequence of the offence and the personality of Jowie.
“It was a gruesome murder, horrific and threatening,” she described the nature of the murder, adding that Kimani’s killer did not intend to even give her one minute to live.
Jowie Irungu in court on March 13, 2024. /X.NATION AFRICA
Probation Officer’s Report
A pre-sentencing report indicated that Jowie maintained his innocence and he was shocked by how the crime was committed.
The probation officer noted in his report that Jowie had lacked stable partner relationships, exhibited an antisocial personality, was impartial and a thrill seeker and used his anger to control others.
“The probation officer reports that the accused person lacks stable partner relationships. He has anti-social personality patterns manifested by living on the edge. He is impulsive and a thrill seeker. He used anger or aggression to control others,” the judge read the report by the probation officer.
It was reported by the court that Kimani’s mother had cried several times during the writing of the report, forcing the probation officer to halt the interview on several occasions.
Jowie’s Plea To Family
Earlier, Jowie filed an application addressing the family of Kimani, who was murdered in September 2018, to which Justice Nzioka read during the proceedings, indicating that the convict appealed to Kimani to find peace amidst the current circumstances.
The statement is as follows:
“He said that nothing he says at this stage will relieve the pain of the family and he says the less he says the better. He expresses his sadness and such a tragic loss of life on extreme circumstances bordering (this caught my attention) on an act of absolute madness that is beyond understanding even to him (as he stands there convicted).
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 in 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.
It is his prayer that the court can meet a custodial sentence. Although the victim’s family is calling for a death sentence, the father of the victim was publicly heard saying he will not take vengeance and 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.”
On their part, Kimani’s family invited the court to consider that the accused was the main offender acting alone. They defined the crime as cold murder and submitted that the family had been affected economically and her business was affected.
“No amount of compensation can bring the deceased back,” the judge stated.
