This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
On November 24, 2019, the Sunday Nation published an interview with Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, a murder suspect, titled 'Jowie: My life in jail.'
Moses Gichuru, a concerned citizen, has come forward to express his dissatisfaction with the interview, claiming it is insensitive and glorifies a murder suspect. He questions why the Sunday Nation chose to focus on Jowie while there are thousands of other murder suspects in remand.
According to Gichuru, the interview has the potential to influence the court's decision on Jowie's bail application, which has been denied twice by Justice James Wakiaga. The judge stated that Jowie's presence at large would intimidate witnesses and tamper with evidence.
While it is true that the Sunday Nation's interview with Jowie may be seen as unusual, given the sub judice rule that governs what the media can report about ongoing court cases, the story has a bearing on Jowie's application for bail. The article highlights the tough conditions in jail and Jowie's prolonged confinement, which could be seen as an attempt to influence the court's decision.
However, media influence in trials is a much-debated subject, and many studies have been conducted to determine the extent of its impact. Kenyan courts take the view that media publicity cannot influence the mind of a competent and independent judge, but the issue remains a topic of discussion.
