By Lauryne Akoth
Joseph Irungu alias Jowie has appealed the High Court ruling of a death sentence passed by Lady Justice Grace Nzioka on 13th March 2024.
The Notice was filed via his legal representative Andrew Muge. In the notice seen by KUTV, dated 15th March 2024, Jowie intends to appeal the conviction and the sentence.
“Take notice that Joseph Kuria Irungu alias Jowie appeals to the Court of Appeal against the decisions of the Honourable Lady Justice Grace Nzioka delivered in open court at Milimani, Nairobi on the 9th day February 2024 and in her written judgment dated 9th February 2024 whereby the Appellant was convicted of Murder and sentenced to death on 13th March 2024.” Read the notice in part.
Jowie was found guilty of the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani on September 19th, 2018 while his co-accused Jacque Maribe was acquitted of the murder charges.
Justice Nzioka had ruled that there was insufficient evidence against Maribe. In her ruling on 9th February 2024, Justice Nzioka stated: “The result is that the prosecution did not adduce enough evidence for this court to find the second accused person guilty of the offence of murder of Monica Nyawira Kimani on the night of September 19, 2018.”
Jowie, whose sentencing had been delayed following the late submissions of crucial documents in court, had been sentenced to death owing to the gravity of the crime.
In his notice of appeal, his lawyer stated, “The appeal is against the conviction and sentence. The Appellant intends to be present at the hearing of the appeal.” Concluded the statement. Jowie’s legal counsel had revealed intentions to appeal the sentence on the fateful day of the sentencing.
His lawyer had remarked that Justice Nzioka appeared to be aiming to appease the public in her judgment.
“Let me whet your appetite, I think all of you remember the words of Lady Justice Nzioka when she was passing Jowie’s sentence. We are firm in our belief that during this process, the honourable lady justice with respect was playing to the gallery and aiming at alleviating the public court,” said Jowie’s lawyer post-sentencing.