Jowie Frustrated by Delay in Trial Records for Appeal

Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, expressed his irritation in court on Tuesday due to delays in obtaining his trial record, which is essential for his appeal against the death sentence handed down for the murder of Monica Kimani.

Jowie was convicted and sentenced to death by Judge Grace Nzioka on March 13 of the previous year. Two days post-conviction, he filed an appeal notice at the Court of Appeal, challenging the entire judgment.

To proceed with his appeal, Jowie needs the trial record, which includes comprehensive details of the trial, judicial notes, the judgment, and other pertinent documents. His lawyer, Andrew Muge, highlighted that almost a year has passed without receiving these crucial documents despite efforts to communicate with court officials.

Jowie’s legal team requested judicial intervention to expedite the release of the appeal records, emphasizing their importance for moving forward with the appeal process.

The advocate representing Monica Kimani’s family supported the need for the records but also requested the release of certain items still held by the court. Jowie’s lawyer opposed this, citing concerns that these items might be necessary for the appeal.

The court has scheduled the next mention of this case for January 28 to check on the availability of the record.

Monica Kimani was discovered murdered in her home at Lamuria Gardens, Nairobi, on September 19, 2018, the night before she was supposed to travel to Dubai. She was found with her throat slit in her bathtub. Judge Nzioka described the murder as premeditated, noting the precision of the act suggested the killer had some training.

“The doctor who examined Monica confirmed her throat was cut deeply, indicating the act was intentional, planned, and executed with intent, not out of accident or provocation,” Judge Nzioka stated during the trial.