DPP APPEALS ACQUITTAL OF JACQUE MARIBE IN MONICA KIMANI MURDER CASE

The Office of The Director of Public Prosecution has officially filed a notice of appeal to challenge Lady Justice Grace Nzioka’s decision...

The Office of The Director of Public Prosecution has officially filed a notice of appeal to challenge Lady Justice Grace Nzioka’s decision to acquit Jacque Maribe in the Monica Kimani murder case. Monica Kimani was found dead with her throat split inside a bathtub at Lamuria Gardens Apartments in Kilimani on September 19, 2018. The deceased had on the same day flown back into the country from Juba in South Sudan and was looking forward to celebrating her 29th birthday. Jacque Maribe was the second accused person charged as an accomplice in the murder. While Maribe’s ex-fiancé and upcoming musician Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu, was the main suspect and later convicted for the murder. Ironically, even if Jowie denied it, he and Monica Kimani were well acquainted, having gone to the same college.

In the report, The Republic of Kenya, represented by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions O.J. Omondi, has conveyed its discontent regarding the High Court’s verdict of February 9, 2024 that exonerated Jacque Maribe.

“Take notice that the Republic, the intended Appellant herein, being dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court of Kenya at Nairobi (Hon. G. Nzioka), delivered in Nairobi on the 9th of February 2024, appeals to the Court of Appeal against the part of the judgment acquitting the 2nd Accused Person,”
The report partly stated.

The Judgement Acquitting Jacque Maribe

On the murder of Monica Kimani, Lady Justice Grace Nzioka acquitted Jacque Maribe since the Prosecutor failed to place her inside Monica Kimani’s apartment on the day she was murdered. The prosecution also proved that Maribe ever communicated with Monica Kimani.

“The evidence by the prosecution against the second accused person did not place her in the house of the deceased on the material night. There was no evidence that Jacque Maribe had ever communicated with the deceased.”
The Judge said.

Jacque Maribe claimed that she found out of Monica Kimani’s death as she read the news bulletin on television.

However, the Judge noted that the prosecution may have failed to bring the right charge against Jacque Maribe. While she may not have been actively involved in the murder, she gave a false statement to the police at Lang’ata police station who were investigating the murder of Monica Kimani.

“Was there any offence committed when the second accused person gave a statement to the investigating officer at Lang’ata police station, which turned out to be not true? I say no more. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution knows their mandate.”
Lady Justice Grace Nzioka noted.