Jacque Maribe could be out of prison but she is far from freedom. The High Court on Tuesday granted the embattles journalist bail in the case in which she has been accused of killing Monica Kimani in her apartment at Lamuria Gardens, Kilimani on the night of 19th September.
As people continue talking about her release, many have forgotten the tough conditions that the High Court set for her.
Maribe was released on a ksh one million cash bail with three sureties of the same amount or a ksh two million bond with one surety of the same amount. This is a lot of money which is not just lying somewhere ready to be taken to the courts.
We witnessed last week how Migori governor Okoth Obado spent one more night at the Industrial Area Police Station even after being released because the defense could not adhere to all the demands on the day he was released. He walked out of Industrial Area some minutes after 7pm, meaning he was on the verge of eating sukuma wiki for one more day.
Now, we know that Maribe is well connected to very powerful people and she will be able to raise the cash bail money within no time.
Her problem however, is the other condition that was set out by the court. She has been directed not to read news, comment or do interviews during the time of the trial.
In other words she should not be on TV. Owing to the fact that the hearing of the case will start in June next year, it means Maribe will not be working for more at least seven months. Will her employer take that kindly?
Last week, Royal Media Services vouched for Maribe to be released on bail, saying that she is still their employee and would not jump bail if released.
Through a statement by the group’s Managing Director Wachira Waruru, the media house urged the court to release Maribe on bail.
Waruru explained that she has worked at Citizen for six-years thus vouching for her character and recommending her admission to bail.
“Having engaged her for the last six years and assessing her performance, we hereby vouch for her character and recommend for her admission to bail… Due to her exceptional performance, she has been appointed to the position of Friday’s prime-time news anchor on the station…”
Jacque has been released yes, but she can’t work meaning she is of no value to the company. With so many people looking for employment, it may not be long before Jacque joins that list.