Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu, 33, has been sentenced to death for the murder of Monica Kimani , whose lifeless body was discovered on September 1...
Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu, 33, has been sentenced to death for the murder of Monica Kimani, whose lifeless body was discovered on September 19, 2018, with her throat slit in her Lamuria Gardens Apartment.
Jowie was found guilty on February 9. And on March 11, Lady Justice Grace Nzioka ordered the death penalty under section 204 of the Penal Code of Kenya.
“I have ordered that the first accused person, Joseph Kuria Irungu alias Jowie, shall suffer death for the offence of murder under section 204 of the Penal Code of Kenya,”
Lady Justice Grace Nzioka ruled.
The judge noted that she reached the death penalty verdict after also considering a prison term and life imprisonment.
Jowie Requests Rehabilitation
Jowie had requested a non-prison sentence, but the court deemed him unfit for rehabilitation, given the unprovoked, well-planned, intentional, and non-defensive nature of the murder Lady Justice Nzioka said, “It was not a defensive act. It was not out of provocation. It was planned, intended and executed,”
The court also argued that the offense allowed the deceased no chance to live, describing it as a tragic loss bordering on madness. She said, “The manner in which the offence was committed did not at any one point intend to give the deceased even a single minute to live. It is a tragic loss of life on extreme circumstances bordering on madness,”
Additionally, the Monica Kimani murder case was premeditated since, “After the commission of the offence, there was an attempt to conceal the evidence.“
Impact Statements
Before the sentencing, Lady Justice Grace Nzioka considered the victim’s family impact statement. Monica Kimani’s family requested a death sentence, citing serious psychological and physical harm caused by the crime.
“The crime had serious psychological and physical harm to the victim and the family. The prosecution invited this court to pronounce a death sentence,” Lady Justice Nzioka said.
The Court also considered the probation officer’s report, which described Jowie as an aggressive, controlling, and antisocial thrill seeker.
“The probation officer said Mr andrew Kinyotu in conclusion and of his own observation states as follows, he describes the accused’s criminogenic risk factors as follows, that he lacks stable partner relationships. He has antisocial personality patterns , manifested by living on the edge. He is impulsive and a thrill seeker. he uses anger or aggression to contro others. finally, he has a double personality trait.”
Lady Justice Grace Nzioka stated.
In his statement, Jowie acknowledged the pain inflicted on Monica Kimani’s family, expressing sadness and extending a prayer for their peace. Despite the family’s plea for a death sentence, Jowie asked the court to consider his perspective.
“The accused states he is aware that nothing he says will relieve the pain of the deceased family. He says he expresses his sadness in the tragic loss of life in extreme circumstances bordering an act of absolute madness that is beyond understanding. The accused says it is his prayer that the deceased family will find peace and that her (Monica Kimani) soul will rest in eternal peace. He says although the victim’s family are calling for a death sentence, the court should consider his views,” Justice Nzioka said.
Jowie Sentenced to Death
Before awarding Jowie the death sentence for the murder of Monica Kimani, Lady Justice Grace Nzioka quoted the Bible which prohibits unlawful murder.
She cited, “Job 1: 12-13 “The NIV Bible says in Job 1: 12-13; The Lord said to Satan, behold all that he has is yours. Only do not lay a hand on his person. And i find no room anywhere for a person to take another person’s life unlawfully.”
What the death sentence means for Jowie
Regarding the death sentence, it’s noteworthy that in Kenya, all death sentences are converted to life imprisonment by presidential orders issued by Mwai Kibaki in 2009 and Uhuru Kenyatta in 2016. Despite being termed “life,” it implies imprisonment until death, not execution. Kenya has not executed anyone since 1987, with the last method being hanging for treason
By Vivian K.
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