This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
On September 20, 2018, George Kimani received a call that would change his life forever. His sister, Monica Kimani, had been found dead in her apartment in Lamuria Gardens, Kilimani. The news was devastating, and George would later testify in court that it was a painful loss for the family.
Monica was the managing director of the family business in South Sudan and had been managing their affairs. She was also a close friend and hardworking individual, according to George. He broke down in court when shown gory pictures of his sister's body, and State prosecutor Wangui Gichui had to console him.
George told the court that his last communication with Monica was on the night of September 19, 2018, a few hours after she arrived from South Sudan. She had promised to talk to him the following day before she left for Dubai. However, when George failed to reach her on phone the next day, their mother told him to go check if she was fine.
George said he found her door locked but the television was on. He got help from the landlord and caretaker and they managed to break the door. Inside, he found his sister lying dead in the bathtub, with her hands and legs tied with white straps and blood oozing from her mouth and nose. Her neck was cut.
George was shocked to discover that the person he called for help was Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, who turned out to be the key suspect in Monica's murder. The two had been classmates at Kenya Polytechnic in 2012, and George was close to Monica. Jowie had even offered to help George find those responsible for Monica's death, but it turned out he was the last person in Monica's house before they found her dead.
The hearing was adjourned to November 26, 2018.
