Nairobi, Kenya – The motive behind Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu’s brutal act of slitting the throat of businesswoman Monica Kimani in 2018 may never be fully understood, as Justice Grace Nzioka chose not to pursue the topic of motive in her determination of the murder case against Mr. Irungu and his then-fiancée Jacque Maribe.
During the trial, the judge concurred with Kimani’s family that proving motive is not necessary in a murder case. She cited court precedents from 2003 and 2019, which underscored the requirement of proving malice aforethought (intention to harm) rather than motive. The judge’s written judgment further emphasized that “proof of motive is not essential to prove a crime.”
While suggestions of a romantic relationship between Irungu and Kimani were brought up during the trial, the judge highlighted witness testimony indicating that Irungu referred to Kimani as his girlfriend. Additionally, after the murder, Irungu admitted to his friend that he had quarreled with his “girlfriend,” further indicating a romantic connection.
Despite attempts by the defense to insinuate infidelity on the part of Kimani, the judge remained focused on the evidence presented in court. Notably, Irungu possessed a gun that was not used in the murder and had stolen an identity card two days before the killing, raising further questions about his actions and intentions.
The judge’s ruling suggested that the truth behind the events leading to Kimani’s tragic death may never be fully revealed. The unanswered questions, such as the identity of the other individuals potentially involved in the crime, leave crucial aspects of the case shrouded in mystery.