Jacque Maribe to finally reunite with her son

Can you imagine being away from your four year old child for a month? Well, that has been Citizen TV journalist Jacque Maribe’s life story after she was arrested on 1st October in connection to the murder of Monica Kimani.

The TV journalist can now smile and wave goodbye to the four walls of her cell at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison after the court ruled that she be released on bail. Justice James Wakiaga today made the ruling and freed Miss Maribe on a cash bail of Ksh. 1 million with three sureties of a similar amount or Ksh. 2 million bond with one surety of a similar amount.

Justice Wakiaga dismissed the prosecution’s argument that Miss Maribe is a flight risk and said that the prosecution failed to prove how she would interfere with witnesses.

“Based on the materials placed I am unable to agree with the prosecution that Maribe will interfere or abscond court or act in any manner prejudicial,” said Justice Wakiaga.

The first accused, Joseph Irungu who is Jacque Maribe’s fiance was however denied bail.

The court ruled that Mr. Irungu had extensively traveled to Middle East with no known assets in the country and his willingness to surrender the passport is not a guarantee that he will not jump bail or abscond court. The judge added that if released on bail, the first accused was likely to abscond court on grounds that he had no fixed residence or evidence before the court that showed he would have a place to live.

Jowie Irungu will now remain in custody at the Industrial Area Remand Prison throughout the trial.

On denying Jowie bail, Justice Wakiaga also ruled that the first accused had access to firearms and displayed publicly his love for guns therefore he could intimidate witnesses in the Monica Kimani case or interfere with the crime scene. The judge also said that if released, Jowie, having shot him was a threat not only to himself but also the public.

The court further noted that Jowie was in need of close supervision and therefore ruled that he be treated at Kenyatta National Hospital with referral from the prison clinic.

According to the ruling, Miss Maribe was barred from reading news or interviewing anybody regarding the case until the end of the trial period. The Citizen TV journalist was also ordered to avoid any contact with prosecution witnesses, and was denied access to her house in Lang’ata until the investigation officers have gathered enough evidence from there.

Maribe’s lawyer, Mr Kigen told the court that his client does not object the terms to surrender her house; which will include gathering all the evidence first before clearing her.

Jowie Irungu and Jacque Maribe had been charged with the murder 28-year-old, Monica Kimani on September 19, 2018 at her apartment along Dennis Pritt road in Kilimani, Nairobi.

Judge Wakiaga said that he would call for pre-trial.

 

Do you support the court’s decision to free Jacque Maribe?

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