This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has expressed solidarity with Joseph 'Jowie' Irungu, the ex-fiance of TV journalist Jackie Maribe, who has been in state custody for over a year.
Irungu is accused of murdering his alleged lover, Monica Kimani, in September 2018.
Babu Owino took to social media to express his support for Irungu, claiming that he had been unfairly denied bail.
He cited several cases where well-to-do individuals had been granted bail while facing similar charges, including the cases of Governor Obado and Sarah Wairimu.
According to Owino, Irungu should be given cash bail or bond term by the judiciary and, if found guilty, be jailed.
He also questioned whether Irungu's poverty was the reason he was being denied bail by the 'rich judiciary.'
Irungu's continued detention has drawn public debate on social media platforms, with many highlighting the delay in the delivery of court cases and the prolonged stays in remand for poor citizens.
Investigating officer Maxwell Otieno of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has stated that his team has 'overwhelming evidence' against Irungu and Maribe.
However, the footage of Irungu attending a church service at Kamiti Maximum Prison in July 2019, where he was seen clapping and smiling, has raised questions about his treatment by the judiciary.
