In a two-hour-long judgement of the 2018 murder case where Joseph Irungu alias Jowie was found guilty, Lady Justice Grace Nzioka read out the prosecution’s report before giving her sentence.
Jowie, 33, was found guilty of the murder of Monica Kimani, who was brutally killed in her Lamuria Gardens apartment in Nairobi on the night of September 19, 2018.
Justice Nzioka noted that Probation officer Andrew Kanyutu listed Jowie’s “criminogenic risk factors” among them being impassive and aggressive.
“He lacks stable partner relationships, he has antisocial personality patterns manifested by living on the edge, he is impulsive and a thrill seeker, he uses anger or aggression to control others, he has a double personality trait,” Nzioka read Kanyutu’s account.
Investigating officer Maxwell Otieno described Jowie as “an extremely dangerous person”, therefore calling for the maximum sentence as provided by law to be served.
“The accused is violent in nature as demonstrated by the fact that he was involved in an assault case when he was out on bond in this matter and it did not go forward because the complainant withdrew the matter,” read part of Otieno’s report.
The victim’s family says that the unfortunate death “occasioned a monumental psychological impact” and that they are yet to come to terms with the loss of their loved one.
They also hold the view that the maximum sentence under the law should be served, however adding that it will still not console them.
“It is reported that following the death of the victim she (mother) suffered prolonged depression and consequently suffered stroke. According to her, the only appropriate sentence is death,” said Justice Nzioka.
The victim’s father said that the extensive media coverage impeded emotional healing and that Monica’s brother seized watching the news, limited his movement in public places and only does online jobs.
Contrary to the prosecution’s accounts, Jowie’s family described him as social, overly generous, respectful to authority, committed Christian and that he believes in innocence “although he has painfully accepted the conviction”.
They also reported that they have undergone severe stigmatisation and financial drain in the form of legal course.
“They are expressing sympathy for the family of the deceased and pray that the perpetrators will be found. They [also] pray for leniency in sentence,” said the judge.
Having the final say, Justice Nzioka sentenced Jowie to death, ruling that the horrific murder of Monica Kimani was “intentional.”
“It was not a defensive act. It was not out of provocation. It was planned, intended and executed,” ruled Justice Nzioka.
“The accused person before this court being Joseph Kuria Irungu shall suffer death as provided for the office of murder under Section 204 of the Penal Code of Kenya.”
By Citizen Digital