Kenya Insights

Tag: Jowie

  • Standard’s Fake News Fail: False Report on Jowie’s Pardon Backfires, Story Pulled After Fact-Check

    Standard’s Fake News Fail: False Report on Jowie’s Pardon Backfires, Story Pulled After Fact-Check

    By James Wanyee

    Nairobi, Kenya – May 28, 2025 – In a shocking display of journalistic malpractice, The Standard, one of Kenya’s oldest media houses, has been caught red-handed peddling fake news, further eroding its already shaky credibility.

    The outlet published a sensational story claiming that Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, convicted for the brutal murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani, was among 57 prisoners pardoned by President William Ruto under the Power of Mercy Act.

    The story, which was hastily posted on both their website and social media pages, was deleted just hours later after it was exposed as a fabrication—but not before it caused a firestorm of public outrage and cast further doubt on The Standard’s editorial integrity.

    The Standard’s now-deleted post screamed, “Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, among 57 prisoners pardoned by President Ruto under Power of Mercy Act, he was sentenced to death in Feb 2024 for murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani.”

    The accompanying article aimed to paint Ruto as a reckless leader willing to free a cold-blooded murderer, feeding into the outlet’s recent pattern of emotionally charged, anti-government rhetoric.

    However, a closer look at the facts reveals that The Standard’s story was not just poorly researched—it was outright false.

    Official records from the Power of Mercy Committee and the Kenya Gazette confirm that a Joseph Irungu was indeed among those pardoned by President Ruto.

    However, this individual is not Joseph “Jowie” Irungu, the high-profile convict linked to Kimani’s murder.

    The gazetted Irungu is a 62-year-old man from Nyeri, serving a reduced sentence for a non-violent theft conviction dating back to 2015.

    Jowie, on the other hand, remains on death row at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, with no record of a pardon or commutation of his sentence.

    The two men share a common name but are entirely unrelated in their crimes, backgrounds, and legal statuses.

    Further scrutiny supports this conclusion.

    Claims that President Ruto pardoned Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, for Monica Kimani’s murder is false.

    The Kenya Gazette lists “Joseph Irungu Maina,” not Jowie’s full name, Joseph Irungu Kuria, and inmate details don’t match.

    Jowie was convicted in 2024, while the pardoned individual’s timeline points to 2015.

    Official records from May 2025 show 4,799 inmates pardoned, but no credible source confirms Jowie’s inclusion.

    Public speculation likely stems from name similarities and the case’s high profile.

    Jowie remains incarcerated.

    The Standard’s rush to publish this story without verifying the identity of the pardoned Irungu exposes a deeper rot within the outlet’s newsroom—a reckless desperation to smear President Ruto at any cost.

    For months, The Standard has been churning out negative publicity against the government, often relying on emotional narratives and shoddy reporting to stoke public anger.

    This latest blunder suggests their editorial process prioritizes sensationalism over accuracy, especially when it comes to high-stakes stories that could damage Ruto’s reputation.

    By falsely claiming that Ruto had freed a notorious murderer, The Standard hoped to ignite public fury and portray the president as soft on crime—a narrative that aligns with their ongoing anti-government crusade.

    This isn’t just a case of sloppy journalism; it’s a deliberate attempt to manipulate public sentiment.

    The Monica Kimani murder case gripped the nation, with Jowie’s conviction in February 2024 seen as a rare victory for justice in a country where high-profile criminals often evade accountability.

    The Standard’s false claim that Ruto had pardoned Jowie was designed to provoke outrage and undermine the president’s credibility, especially at a time when Ruto’s administration is navigating tensions with political rivals like Gideon Moi who owns the media company.

    The two leaders have been at odds, and The Standard, appears to be weaponizing its platform to settle political scores.

    The fallout from this debacle has been swift and brutal.

    On X, Kenyans called out The Standard for its dishonesty, with hashtags like #FakeNewsStandard and #StandardLies trending within hours of the post’s deletion.

    “This is why we can’t trust mainstream media anymore,” one user wrote.

    “The Standard didn’t even bother to check if it was the same Joseph Irungu. They just wanted to make Ruto look bad.”

    Another added, “How many other stories have they lied about to push their agenda? This is embarrassing for a paper that claims to be a standard-bearer.”

    The Standard’s actions are a disgrace to journalism.

    A newsroom with its legacy should be a beacon of truth, not a factory for propaganda.

    By rushing to publish an unverified story, The Standard has not only damaged its own reputation but also cast doubt on the authenticity of its broader body of work.

    Their pattern of emotionally charged, poorly researched stories—often aimed at painting the government in a negative light—shows a blatant disregard for journalistic ethics.

    If The Standard is willing to fabricate a story this inflammatory, what else have they gotten wrong in their relentless campaign against Ruto?

    The Standard owes the public an apology, but more than that, it needs a complete overhaul of its editorial standards.

    Kenyans deserve better than a media house that prioritizes political vendettas over facts.

    Until The Standard cleans up its act, it will remain a cautionary tale of what happens when journalism abandons integrity for sensationalism. Shame on them.

    The writer is a media critic based in Nairobi.

    Note: The opinions expressed are those of the author and not of Kenya Insights.

  • Jowie Frustrated by Delay in Trial Records for Appeal

    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.

  • Latest Developments On Jowie’s Death Penalty Appeal

    Latest Developments On Jowie’s Death Penalty Appeal

    Attorney General Justin Muturi has asked the High Court to dismiss a petition by Joseph Irungu, also known as Jowie, challenging the constitutionality of the death penalty in cases where people are charged and convicted of murder.

    Jowie, who was recently convicted of murder, has filed a petition seeking to declare laws that prescribe the death penalty in Kenya as unconstitutional.

    In response, the AG has argued that the death penalty imposed on Irungu and other convicts is legal and lawful.

    “Kenya courts have stated that the death penalty is a lawful sentence and that sentence of death provided in the Penal Code, for offences of murder under Section 204 of Penal Code, aggravated robbery under Section 296(2) of the Penal Code and attempted robbery under Section 297(2) was in line with the Constitutional provisions giving State power to limit right to life through written law,” he said.

    “The Court lacks the jurisdiction to exercise supervisory jurisdiction, that is the High Court’s decision on conviction and sentencing in Nairobi High Court Criminal Case No. 51 of 2018; Republic vs Irungu’ Jowie and another as proposed by the petitioner herein.”

    AG argues that the Constitution does not include the right to life as one of the absolute rights that may not be limited under Article 25 of the Constitution.

    The AG has sought to have the case dismissed after Jowie approached the Constitutional and Human Rights Division seeking to declare the sentence imposed on him on March 13 violates his right to life.

    “We seek a declaration that the petitioner’s sentence to death on March 13 2024 was in contravention of Irungu’s right to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment contrary to Article 25 of the Constitution,” Irungu’s lawyer Andrew Muge states.

    According to Jowie, the clause is unconstitutional as other crimes had the right to apply for bail.

    The ruling gave judges discretion to decide whether to hand down the death sentence or life imprisonment.

  • ‪Jowie Appeals His Death Sentence ‬

    ‪Jowie Appeals His Death Sentence ‬

    Murder convict Joseph Irungu alias Jowie is putting up a fight to overturn his death sentence in the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani.

    Justice Grace Nzioka on March 24, sentenced Jowie to death after finding him guilty of the murder.

    Jowie has now filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal in a bid to overturn his conviction and sentencing that he says infringed his rights and that it’s a degrading form of punishment.

    In his application before the Milimani Law Courts, Jowie says the mode in which the death penalty should be enforced is torturous, cruel and inhumane.

    He says it is prohibited under article 25 of the constitution which spells out the fundamental rights and freedoms that may not be limited.

    These include freedom from torture or degrading punishment, freedom from slavery, and right to fair trial.

    Jowie claims that his sentencing over the Monica Kimani murder was in violation of his non-derogable right to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman punishment and wants the court to declare as so.

    He has sued the Attorney General in his petition.

    In 2017, the Supreme Court declared the mandatory death sentence unconstitutional but did not outlaw it.

    The ruling gave judge’s discretion to decide whether to hand down the death sentence or life imprisonment.

    In light of this, Jowie wants the court to declare that section 379 (4) of the criminal procedure code is unconstitutional as it denies persons sentenced to death the right to bail pending appeal.

    This is the second legal battle Jowie has launched against the state in a bid to secure early freedom, following another that seeks to overturn the death sentence imposed on him by the High Court last month.

    Convicted

    Jowie was sent to the gallows on 13 March this year after being found guilty of killing Ms Kimani in her Limuria garden in Nairobi.

    Judge Grace Nzioka, after analysing the evidence in the case, found that the convict was at the centre of the murder and ruled that he deserved the death penalty.

    The judge found that the convict murdered Ms Kimani in cold blood and left her tied up in a bathtub.

    Evidence such as the burning of the Kanzu, which the convict had put on on the fateful day in an attempt to conceal evidence, was also taken into account.

    The court also relied on the prosecution’s evidence that the deceased did not provoke the convict to justify the attack that left her dead.

    Jowie’s pre-sentence report also conspired against him, describing him as a man of dual personality, leaving the court with limited options in sentencing him to prison.

    The lead investigator – Chief Inspector Maxwell Otieno – had described Jowie as a dangerous person because he was allegedly involved in a fight after being released on bail.

    These factors led the court to sentence Jowie to death.

    But now the convict is not only seeking the repeal of criminal laws that prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of murder, but has also asked for compensation for an alleged violation of his constitutional rights.

    Jowie’s main argument, and the basis of his legal battle with the state, is that the section of the law he is challenging prevents those sentenced to death from seeking bail pending appeal.

  • Monica Kimani’s Murder: The Loopholes And Unanswered Questions

    Monica Kimani’s Murder: The Loopholes And Unanswered Questions

    The tragic murder of Monica Kimani continues to raise more questions than answers even after the ‘key’ suspect Jowie Irungu was convicted and sentenced to death. Following his sentencing, a shadowy character on Instagram shocked Kenyans as he asked Jowie to tell the world the truth. With each new revelation, the mystery deepens, shedding light on potential loopholes and overlooked details in the investigation.

    Here’s what we know so far:

    According to sources close to the investigation, Monica Kimani was romantically involved with Yassir Mohammed, a Sudanese national who held a prominent position as the director of Caterpillar Inc. in the country. The couple shared a home together, painting a picture of intimacy and closeness. Following the heinous act, Yassir visited Lamuria Gardens where he picked all his belongings never to be seen again; a witness told the court.

    John Irungu Jowie sentenced to death after he was found guilty of murdering Monica Kimani at Lamuria Gardens.

    However, despite their apparent relationship, Mohammed remained conspicuously absent from the investigations. He was neither summoned for questioning nor did he provide any statements or act as a witness in the case. Most notably, he did not attend Monica’s funeral, a stark departure from what one would expect from a grieving partner. The abrupt disappearance of Mohammed from their shared residence only adds fuel to the speculation surrounding his involvement.

    The circumstances surrounding Monica’s murder raise alarming inconsistencies. While forensic evidence suggests sexual activity before her death, the absence of DNA evidence implicating Mohammed in anything beyond the presence of Monica’s genetic material on Khaki shorts leaves room for doubt. Furthermore, the disabling of CCTV cameras in the apartment on the night of the murder raises suspicion of a premeditated murder and a deliberate attempt to cover up the crime scene.

    Jowie Irungu and his parents shortly after he was sentenced to death.

    Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of the case is the lack of physical altercation or struggle evident in the living room where Monica was allegedly killed. The absence of bloodstains or signs of resistance suggests either a meticulously planned murder or the possibility that Monica was incapacitated before the fatal assault. This theory gains traction when considering the DNA evidence found on the straps used to bind her, belonging to unknown individuals, indicating the involvement of accomplices.

    The timeline of events surrounding the murder raises chilling questions about the role of drugs in Monica’s demise. Was she drugged to render her immobile before the fatal attack? Or was she killed elsewhere and transported back to her residence to stage the scene? The gaps in the investigation leave ample room for speculation, pointing to the possibility of involvement of multiple actors beyond the primary suspect, Jowie, who was definitively present at the scene according to phone triangulation.

    Monica Kimani’s parents mourns her.

    As the investigation unfolded, it was imperative to scrutinize the actions and whereabouts of key individuals like Yassir Mohammed. Why was he never questioned or summoned for a possible involvement? What prompted his sudden departure from the shared residence with Monica? These unanswered questions underscore the need for a thorough reevaluation of the case, delving deeper into overlooked details and potential leads.

    Even though justice seems to have been served for Monica Kimani, it is essential to unravel the tangled web of deception and intrigue surrounding her untimely demise. Only by confronting the hard questions and addressing the glaring loopholes can we hope to bring full closure to this tragic chapter in our nation’s history now that Jowie has appealed.

    There is more than meets the eye. Jowie may be guilty as convicted, but there could be other actors out here.

  • How Jowie And Maribe Drew Monica Kimani’s Murder Plot And Cover-Up Attempts

    How Jowie And Maribe Drew Monica Kimani’s Murder Plot And Cover-Up Attempts

    On September 19, 2018, businesswoman Monica Kimani arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from her business trip to South Sudan.

    From the airport, Kimani boarded a taxi to her apartment at Lamuria Gardens in Kilimani, Nairobi, to spend the night.

    Her younger brother George Kimani testified that she promised to meet the family the following day before flying out to Dubai to meet her Sudanese boyfriend.

    It was supposed to be a short, happy family reunion but it never came to pass.

    She was found murdered the following morning with her throat slit and the body dumped in the bathtub with the water running.

    Four and a half years after her death, journalist Jacqueline Maribe and ex-boyfriend Joseph Irungu alias Jowie are on the verge of paying the ultimate price for the offence.

    The two were found with a case to answer and put on their defence over Monica’s murder.

    “I have had the benefit of going through the evidence and submissions and the court is satisfied that the prosecution has established a prima facie case to place each of the accused persons on their defence,” ruled Justice Grace Nzioka on Wednesday.

    The prosecution, through Wangui Gichui, presented 35 witnesses, some of who were under witness protection, and several pieces of documentary evidence to prove the case against Jowie and Maribe who at the time were living as a couple at Royal Park Estate in Lang’ata.

    Their case was that Jowie was the principal offender while Maribe was an accomplice who knew everything that happened but engaged in a cover-up.

    Lead investigator officer Maxwell Otieno in his bid to recreate Monica’s last moments and trace Jowie’s movements before he allegedly murdered the businesswoman took the court on a site visit with key details of what transpired.

    “It was a well-executed plan where the accused person stole an identity card at their Royal Park Estate residence and used it to access Lamuria Gardens where he committed the murder, went back and burnt the clothes and borrowed a gun to shoot himself,” Otieno told the court.

    According to the investigator, Jowie’s movement started at Road House Grill in Kilimani where he spent the evening on September 19, 2018, drinking with friends.

    He is said to have arrived at the restaurant at around 6pm using Maribe’s car while in the company of two friends.

    At around 8pm he left the venue for Lenana Road where he took a taxi to Monica’s house at Lamuria Gardens, which he accessed using a stolen ID card and went to House Number 8 on Block A where Monica stayed.

    Stolen ID

    The owner of the stolen ID, Dominic Hosea, told the court that he had gone to work at Royal Park Estate where Jowie and Maribe were staying and left his ID at the gate before it was stolen.

    A protected witness had also told the court that Jowie presented the stolen ID at the gate of Lamuria Gardens in order to access Monica’s house.

    While inside the house, the prosecution called Lee Omondi who identified Jowie as the last person with Monica before she was found murdered.

    According to the witness, he visited Monica’s house on the night of her arrival from South Sudan and found her in the company of two men, Jowie and another man called Walid.

    “After about one and a half hours, Walid left and I also excused myself. I thought it best to leave Jowie and Monica to themselves since he looked like he was familiar with the house and someone who knew the place,” the witness said.

    According to the prosecution, no one knows what happened after Omondi left Jowie and Monica since she was found dead the next morning.

    The apartment’s caretaker Reagan Buluku testified that he could not withstand the gory scene as Monica’s body lay lifeless in her bathroom, with both legs and hands tied and blood flowing from her slit throat.

    “I was so shocked when I saw how she was slaughtered. I could not withstand the sight and rushed back to her sitting room. There was blood on her neck…,” said Buluku.

    His testimony was backed by police investigator Jennifer Jepkosgei who presented to the court images of the scene.

    She produced photos of the woman in the bathroom, her hands tied and a masking tape on her mouth. There was also blood splattered on the kitchen floor.

    Dr Peter Ndegwa who performed the post-mortem testified that Monica did not die from natural causes since the death was caused by excessive bleeding due to a severe neck injury.

    The prosecution also presented to court Maribe’s car movement on the night where chief inspector Fredrick Michuki testified that it was captured in Kilimani from Ngong Road towards Yaya Centre.

    It was captured again along Mbagathi Road and State House Road near the University of Nairobi towards Uhuru Highway then Westlands before it was seen heading to Lang’ata Road.

    The lead investigator, chief inspector Otieno, had testified that Jowie had joined Maribe at a club in Westlands after allegedly committing the murder, before going home together where they hatched a plan to cover up the crime.

    He took the judge on a site visit to Maribe’s house at Royal Park Estate where he said Jowie borrowed a pistol from neighbour Brian Kasaine and shot himself in the shoulder before going back to the neighbour to seek help.

    Cover-up?

    According to the investigator, they were able to trace the hole in the wall where the bullet had hit which Jowie and Maribe tried to coverusing some powder.

    “At one point during our investigations, Maribe admitted that Jowie had shot himself but when we asked her about the bullet head, she told us that she had thrown it into the toilet and flashed it,” said Otieno.

    He said after the self-shooting incident, there was a serious disagreement between Jowie and Maribe after which he threatened the former journalist.

    Otieno also showed the court the exact location outside the building where Jowie is said to have burnt his blood-stained clothes to destroy evidence.

    On September 20, 2018, after the murder, Dr Lawrence Obonyo testified that Jowie walked into Nairobi West Hospital in the middle of the night claiming he had been shot by thugs on the left shoulder.

    But the prosecution presented evidence to prove that the gunshot was self-inflicted.

    Gichuhi, while closing the prosecution’s case, said Jowie and Maribe had a common intention to kill Monica and later engaged in an elaborate plan to cover up the murder.

    She said both direct and circumstantial evidence in which Jowie allegedly stole an ID card to access Monica’s house showed they planned the killing with Maribe who was waiting for him to accomplish the task before they go home.

    Gichuhi said Maribe was aware of the killing by giving him her vehicle to use in the murder before trying to conceal the murder by lying to the police and destroying evidence.

    According to the prosecution, Maribe conspired with Jowie to create a false narrative that they had been attacked by robbers while entering their house at Royal Park Estate in Lang’ata when Jowie had shot himself.

    “At no point did she provide information to police about the murder, only to be seen on Citizen TV the following day announcing the death of Monica when she was fully aware of what had happened,” said Gichuhi.

    Phone data

    Gichuhi added that the report from the government chemist proved that Monica’s blood was found in Jowie’s clothes and that his phone call data placed him at the scene of the murder.

    But Jowie and Maribe maintained their innocence, saying Monica could have been killed by an unknown man who was in her house that night.

    Jowie’s lawyer Hassan Nandwa said the prosecution is wrong to say he killed Monica merely because he was the last person seen with her.

    Justice Nzioka confirmed that the prosecution had proved the case and it was now Jowie and Maribe’s turn to tell their side of the story and defend themselves.

    Jowie said he will give a sworn statement and call one witness while Maribe said she will call six witnesses to defend her. In the event that they fail to successfully defend themselves, the former lovers could be sentenced to death being the maximum penalty for murder. Justice Nzioka scheduled May 11 and 12 for the defence hearing.

    (Standard)

  • Jowie Introduced Himself As An Interpol Officer Attached To Statehouse When Last Seen With Monica

    Jowie Introduced Himself As An Interpol Officer Attached To Statehouse When Last Seen With Monica

    A witness on Tuesday narrated to the court that he left murder suspect Joseph Kuria Irungu, alias Jowie, at the home of Monica  Kimani, the night she was killed.

    Mr Lee Owen Omondi Madala told Justice James Wakiaga that he had gone over to Monicah’s residence in Kilimani to collect a logbook and had left at around 10.45pm, leaving behind the two.

    Mr Lee knew Monicah from South Sudan. They met during a social event organised by his brother, Michael Madala who was working for the UNDP in Juba.

    When he first arrived at Monicah’s house, Mr. Lee says Monicah introduced Jowie as a security officer in the Office of the President working for Interpol. In the testimony, Mr.Lee says Jowie was dressed in a red cap, a white kanzu and a grey coat.

    “Monicah told me Jowie does not usually dress in a kanzu but that he had been on a security drill in Lamu and had to wear it. He said he also he had rented a house in Eastleigh for security operations and had to dress like that,” Mr Lee told the court.

    They all discussed security matters over a drink and Jowie offered to secure him a firearm. After some drinks, he picked the logbook from Monicah who allegedly informed him that she was to travel to Dubai for business then left both of them together.

    “As I was leaving, Monicah told me that Jowie was to leave immediately but the accused interjected saying ‘I can even sleep here, the house is big enough,’” Mr. Lee said.

    The next day September 20, 2018 he called and texted Monicah but did not get replies. It was only after two days later that he learnt from another friend a Ms Wanja, the sad news of Monicah’s death.

    “I was shocked and afraid since I was among the people in Monicah’s house the night she was killed. I looked for my lawyer Jeff Kimata for advice then reported to Kilimani Police Station,” he said.

    Ms Maribe and Mr Irungu have denied killing the 28-year-old Monicah, an offence they allegedly committed on September 19, last year.

    The hearing is set to continue.