This archive report was first published on 26 November 2019.
Monica Kimani, a 28-year-old businesswoman, was murdered at her Lamuria Garden apartment in Kilimani on September 19, 2018. Her brother George Kimani testified in court that she had acquired a top-of-the-range vehicle and a three-bedroom house in Nairobi in 2017.
Ms Kimani's monthly salary was US$2,500 (about Sh260,000 at the current exchange rates), but her brother revealed that she had other sources of income. He stated that she was the managing director of the family business, which they ran in South Sudan.
The family business, according to George Kimani, secured a contract with UAP Insurance, which led to an increase in their earnings. He was the operations manager, while their father was the chief executive officer.
Monica Kimani was due to fly to Dubai on September 20, 2018, where her brother was to meet a Sudanese businessman, Mr Nasser Mohammed. Mr Mohammed was the country director of Caterpillar in South Sudan and had branches in Nairobi and Kampala.
George Kimani denied any knowledge of a grudge or misunderstanding between his sister and the accused, Joseph Kuria Irungu alias Jowie, which might have led to her murder.
Dr Joseph Kimani, a government chemist, testified that there was a blood spot on Jowie's shorts, which matched Monica Kimani's blood after analysis.
The detectives handed over 73 exhibits to Dr Kimani for analysis, including swabs from several people, charred clothes, a bloodstained towel, a knife, a wine glass, empty beer cans, and empty beer bottles.
Mr Irungu and Ms Maribe were charged with Monica Kimani's murder on October 15, 2018. Nine witnesses have testified so far.
