This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
Joseph 'Jowie' Irungu, the prime suspect in the murder of Monica Kimani, has been in custody for a significant period, and his latest bail application is centered around his alleged suffering in prison.
On Thursday, Jowie appeared in court, where he asked the judges to consider the time he has already spent in custody and grant him bail.
He assured the court that if released, he would not abscond, stating, 'I have no intent to go anywhere.'
Jowie also drew a comparison between himself and his co-accused, Jacque Maribe, who was granted bail and did not abscond. He argued that he deserves the same treatment.
George Kimani, Monica's brother, testified in court, recounting the last moments he spent with his sister before her murder. He revealed that he had communicated with Monica on WhatsApp and that she had used her Safaricom number on the day she arrived from Juba.
George told the court that he called Monica later that night, and she reported that she was getting into a cab to deliver a package. This was the last communication he had with his sister that night.
On the next day, George tried calling Monica, but her phone remained unanswered. This prompted their mother to send him to check on Monica.
George recounted how he arrived at Lamuria Gardens, where Monica's apartment was located, and found the house locked from the inside. The keys were still on the door.
They decided to take a ladder and use it to access the house through a window. When the gardener went through the window, he started looking for the doors but seemed confused.
George told the court that when he saw the gardener's reaction, he became alarmed, and they decided to use a hammer to break down the door and gain entry.
Inside the bathroom, they found Monica dead. George also revealed that both taps in the kitchen were open.
He added that when he heard the description of the person who was with Monica, he thought it could be Jowie.
A report by the Government analyst presented in court on Wednesday had also linked Jowie to the scene of the crime.
According to the report, DNA profiles generated from a pillow and a rear seat matched the DNA profile generated from Jowie's buccal swab.
Maribe was released on bail on October 30, 2018, with a cash bail of Ksh. 1 million and three sureties of a similar amount or Ksh. 2 million bond with one surety of a similar amount.
Justice James Wakiaga ruled that there was no indication that Maribe was a flight risk and that the prosecution did not prove that she would interfere with witnesses.
However, Jowie's bail application was denied, with the court ruling that he has extensively traveled to the Middle East and has no known assets in the country.
He is currently being held at the Kamiti Maximum Prison.
