Kenyans woke up in disbelief on Wednesday. Social media was ablaze with claims that Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, the man convicted of brutally murdering businesswoman Monica Kimani, had been released from prison.
The uproar followed a gazette notice dated May 23, 2025, announcing a presidential pardon of 57 inmates by President William Ruto. One name on the list—Joseph Irungu Maina—immediately raised eyebrows.
Could the government have quietly freed Jowie? The backlash was instant. But as the dust settled, the truth turned out to be quite different.
Jowie Irungu Not Among the Released Inmates
The speculation started Tuesday evening after the gazette notice became public. Kenyans quickly zeroed in on one name: Joseph Irungu Maina. Social media exploded with claims that the man recently sentenced to death for Monica Kimani’s murder was now a free man, thanks to President Ruto’s mercy.
But this claim did not hold water. Dennis Itumbi, a close Ruto ally and the State House Digital Strategist, quickly shut down the rumors.
He labeled the claims as fake and accused a section of internet users of spreading misinformation. According to him, the Joseph Irungu listed in the gazette was not the same person convicted in 2024.
A closer look confirmed Itumbi’s assertion. The man who was pardoned—Joseph Irungu Maina—was jailed back in 2015. He has been behind bars for nearly a decade. Meanwhile, Joseph Kuria Irungu, commonly known as Jowie, was only sentenced on March 13, 2024, and by law, cannot qualify for a presidential pardon that quickly.
The key differences were in the middle names and the dates of sentencing. While their names are strikingly similar, these legal details matter deeply in judicial processes.
Also, Jowie was sentenced to death, not a fixed jail term. Presidential pardons usually apply to convicts serving time and whose behavior in prison, time served, and other factors align with the Power of Mercy guidelines.
What the Law Says About Presidential Pardons
The Kenyan Constitution, under Article 133, gives the President the right to pardon prisoners under the power of mercy. This authority can only be exercised after recommendations from the Power of Mercy Advisory Committee—a body that considers applications from prisoners seeking pardon, remission, or commutation.
The committee doesn’t act on impulse. It examines:
- The length of the sentence already served
- The prisoner’s conduct in custody
- The severity of the offence
- Public interest and national security
- Recommendations from the courts and prison officers
This system was inherited from the British colonial structure, where the monarch could spare someone’s life under what was called the “royal prerogative of mercy.” Kenya retained this power and localized it for use by the President.
Even then, the process is not secretive. Every pardon must be publicly listed in a gazette notice, just as happened on May 23. Any inmate pardoned must have served a significant portion of their sentence and shown reformation.
Jowie does not meet any of those conditions. He was sentenced just two months ago, found guilty by Lady Justice Grace Nzioka for the cold-blooded killing of Monica Kimani in 2018.
Why the Public Reacted So Strongly
The murder of Monica Kimani shocked the country. She was young, ambitious, and brutally slain in her own apartment. The trial dragged for years, with Jowie at the center of it all—his relationship with TV presenter Jacque Maribe, the high-profile witnesses, and the gruesome forensic evidence kept the nation glued.
So when whispers spread that Jowie had been released, it hit a nerve. Kenyans feared that justice had been reversed behind closed doors. And it’s not just about one case. The idea that a person convicted of such a heinous act could be quietly released triggers deep fears about corruption and abuse of power.
That’s why this story picked up so fast. People have seen powerful individuals walk free in the past. The public wasn’t going to let this one go without answers. But facts matter. Jowie remains on death row. The gazetted pardon has nothing to do with him.
