Murder: Face of Monica Kimani's killer

For Maribe, could her bold embrace of yellow signify a triumphant emergence from the lingering specter of a murder case that once cast a shadow over her blossoming career?

On the flip side, Joseph Kuria, also known as Jowie, opted for a different palette, donning a print shirt. Splashed with pigments of green, hints of lavender, and a touch of blue, his ensemble added a contrasting and intriguing visual dimension to the day's narrative.

He also wore a black face mask.

However, a maroon cap and a white kanzu he wore on September 19, 2018, nailed him for the murder of Monica Nyawira Kimani at Lamuria Gardens apartment in Kilimani, Nairobi County.

High Court Judge Grace Nzioka found that Jowie stole a casual labourer's identification card, used it to access Monicah's apartment.

He then used a borrowed gun as part of his plan for murder to subdue her.

Jowie with his lawyer Hassan Nandwa at Milimani court on Friday, February 09, 2024, before Justice Grace Nzioka delivered her judgement. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

He also submitted that the identification card did not bear same details as his.

Jowie also claimed that Monica's Sudanese boyfriend could have also committed the heinous act as there was a message on her phone from her asking another man to go help 'her to sleep.'

According to Jowie, forensic evidence showed that there were two other unknown males who had also accessed the place.

Jowie also argued that he did not drive Maribe's car but had his own vehicle and that all others who were there were not identified.

However, Justice Nzioka ruled out that he did not know Monicah. She said that George Kimani, the deceased's brother told the court that they shared a class in college.

At the same time, Kimani alongside Jowie had visited Monicah at her house house. There was a mobile conversation between the deceased and the accused.

The court was of the view that on September 17, 2018, a casual worker lost his ID while searching for an job and Royal Park Estate in Lang'ata.

The judge found that on the other hand, a security guard who identified Jowie stated that he used the casual labourer's ID to identify himself.

Maribe's house help known as Pamela said that Jowie left the house in brown shorts and a maroon cap on that day at 4 pm.

The other person who met him was a person identified as Jenix who affirmed Pamela's testimony that Jowie was in the same clothes.

Jenix added that he saw Jowie remove a white Kanzu and wore it. This was at Roadhouse Club Lang'ata.

Justice Nzioka said that Jowie wore the white kanzu before he went to Monicah's house.

She observed that there were remnants of white material pieces that belonged to the kanzu that he burned.

However, Nzioka said that in as much Jowie said the shirt produced in court was not his, there was no contestation on the maroon cap.

At the same time, Justice Nzioka said he was identified by the security guard who was manning Monicah's apartment in a white kanzu.

In addition, Mr Lee Owen, who was also in Monicah's house also identified the same attire.

"There is evidence that the first accused was within the vicinity of Dennis Prit. He was also within the scene of crime," said Justice Nzioka.

Brian Kasaine told the court that on September 19,2018, Jowie had his gun and did not return it for two days.

Outside court, Maribe and her family expressed relief saying that after years of agony, the court chose to believe in her innocence.

"I don't need to say anything but I'll say go read John 8:32. For you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Thank you," said Maribe.