This archive report was first published on 20 November 2019.
On the night of September 19, 2018, a witness, Lee Owen Omondi Madala, left murder suspect Joseph Kuria Irungu, alias Jowie, at the home of Monica Kimani in Kilimani, Nairobi. This was revealed in court testimony on Tuesday.
Mr. Madala told Justice James Wakiaga that he had gone to Monica's residence to collect a logbook and left at around 10:45 pm, leaving Jowie behind.
Mr. Madala knew Monica from South Sudan, where they met during a social event organized by his brother, Michael Madala, who was working for the UNDP in Juba.
When he first arrived at Monica's house, Mr. Madala says Monica introduced Jowie as a security officer in the Office of the President working for Interpol. Jowie was dressed in a red cap, a white kanzu, and a grey coat.
According to Mr. Madala, Monica told him that Jowie did not usually dress in a kanzu but had been on a security drill in Lamu and had to wear it. Jowie also claimed to have rented a house in Eastleigh for security operations and had to dress accordingly.
They discussed security matters over a drink, and Jowie offered to secure Mr. Madala a firearm. After some drinks, Mr. Madala picked the logbook from Monica, who allegedly informed him that she was to travel to Dubai for business and left both of them together.
As Mr. Madala was leaving, Monica told him that Jowie was to leave immediately, but Jowie interjected, saying, 'I can even sleep here, the house is big enough.'
The next day, September 20, 2018, Mr. Madala called and texted Monica but did not get replies. It was only after two days later that he learnt from another friend, Ms. Wanja, the sad news of Monica's death.
Mr. Madala was shocked and afraid, having been among the people in Monica's house the night she was killed. He looked for his lawyer, Jeff Kimata, for advice and then reported to Kilimani Police Station.
Ms. Maribe and Mr. Irungu have denied killing Monica, an offence they allegedly committed on September 19, 2018.
The hearing is set to continue.
