By Lauryne Akoth
The office of the Public Director of Prosecution has moved to court to appeal the High Court Judgment acquitting former news anchor Jacque Maribe in the murder case of Businesswoman Monica Kimani.
A notice filed by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions O.J Omondi states that The D.P.P’s office was dissatisfied with Court Judge Grace Nzioka’s ruling delivered on Friday last week.
“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,” read the notice filed by senior assistant D.P.P Joseph Omondi.
Lady Justice Grace Nzioka in her verdict last Friday found Jowie Irungu guilty of the murder of Monicah Nyawira Kimani. In her ruling, she stated that the prosecution failed to place Jacque Maribe at the crime scene. “It’s my considered view that the charge brought against Maribe was not the proper charge.
Evidence against Maribe didn’t place her in the house of the deceased on a material night,” she further stated that the evidence brought against Jacque Maribe only related to the shooting incident on 20th September, involving Jowie Irungu in which the court said she was washable for giving false information to the police.
In her ruling, Justice Nzioka concluded by stating that the office of the D.P.P. knows their mandate and proceeded to convict Jowie Irungu and acquitted Jacque Maribe of the murder charges.
The move by the office of the Director of Public Prosecution opens a fresh set of woes for Jacque Maribe who was all but smiles after the Court’s ruling last week. Addressing the press after the verdict, the former news anchor quoted a bible verse, John 8:32, “For you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”