Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu Sentenced to Death for the Murder of Monica Kimani

Joseph Irungu, also known as Jowie, has been handed a death sentence by a Nairobi court following the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani.

Monica, the eldest daughter of Paul Kimani Ngarama, was tragically killed in her apartment at Lamuria Garden on the night of September 19, 2018. The murder occurred shortly after her return from Juba, South Sudan. Monica’s plans to travel to Dubai the next morning were abruptly halted when her lifeless body was discovered in a bathtub, her throat gruesomely slit and her hands and legs bound with cable ties. The sentencing of Irungu, aged 33, was delayed by his legal team’s request for additional time to respond to a pre-sentence report and the prosecution’s submissions.

In their report, the prosecution highlighted the use of a dangerous weapon and attempts to conceal the crime in their report. Consequently, they pushed for the death penalty, asserting that the murder was premeditated and had inflicted profound suffering on Monica’s family. Additionally, the family’s business in South Sudan, which served as their primary source of income, was devastated as a result.

Throughout the trial, Irungu pleaded with Judge Nzioka for a lenient prison sentence, emphasizing his lack of criminal record. He acknowledged the immense pain experienced by the victims’ families, recognizing that no amount of monetary compensation could alleviate their suffering. The probation officer’s report painted Irungu as an individual who struggled to maintain stable relationships, exhibited traits of an antisocial personality, lacked empathy, and used anger as a tool for manipulation.

Joseph Irungu’s mother has expressed her deep dissatisfaction with the court’s decision to sentence her son to death. Outside the courtroom, she vehemently argued that her son is innocent and has been wrongly convicted. Despite her disappointment, she maintained a sense of hope, believing firmly that justice would ultimately prevail, and her son would be released in due time. Drawing strength from her faith, Irungu’s mother referenced the Bible and her belief in a forgiving God who offers second chances. She likened her son to Joseph from the Bible, expressing her conviction that he would eventually be freed from prison.