TV anchor Jacque Maribe was yesterday arrested and detained at Gigiri Police Station in relation to the gruesome murder of Monica Nyawira Kimani last week. With the prime suspect in being her fiancé Joseph Irungu, Maribe is likely to be charged with being an accessory to murder and illegal possession of a firearm. With Maribe currently behind bars, here are some of the events leading up to her arrest:
Jacque Maribe resumes duty after missing in actionhttps://t.co/RDYWEvyIFt pic.twitter.com/yofKCuVtJX
— Kiss 100 Kenya (@Kiss100kenya) December 4, 2018
Conflicting statements.
The senior political affairs reporter will, however, not anchor news or go on air. She will essentially hold her old responsibilities as a news editor who will arrange and compile the news stories.
“I am told she was back at work yesterday and will essentially hold her old responsibilities minus going on air. So, in essence, she is a news Editor who will compile and arrange stories that will run on air,” a source is quoted.
Ms Maribe was barred from presenting news or appearing in interviews related to the Monica Kimani murder case when she was granted bail by High Court Judge James Wakiaga.
“The accused shall not read news, comment or participate in any interview directly or indirectly related to this case, 2 she shall not read news during the period this matter is fixed for hearing…” ruled Wakiaga, adding, “She shall not interview any parties directly or indirectly connected with this case including the victim’s family, advocate, prosecution witnesses, and trial court.”
On the night of September 20, Irungu had told police he had picked Maribe from a club in Kilimani and driven to their house in Royal Park estate, Langata. Irungu told police they arrived in the estate at about 1.30am when he spotted three men standing outside and after taking Maribe into the house, he went back to the gate to check what was happening and that is when he claims to have been shot.
Maribe told police she was drunk and drove him to Nairobi West Hospital where he was attended to and sent home. The two also told police they went to Nairobi West Hospital and Lang’ata Hospital the same night seeking treatment for the gunshot wound. Later, one of their lawyers told a court that the couple also went to Kijabe Mission Hospital.
Live bullet
Earlier in the week when detectives visited Maribe’s house, the team recovered a live bullet from under the bed, but not a pistol. They said they had been informed that Irungu has been using at most shooting ranges in the city. Irungu, according to the police, has been claiming to be a licensed firearm holder but that is not the case.
Burned clothing
Investigators found burned clothes behind Maribe’s house which they took for forensic analysis to determine whether they are the ones Irungu wore on the day of Monica’s murder. However, the white robe Irungu was wearing when he visited Monica is yet to be found.
Gun discovery
Detectives found a gun they believe was used by Irungu in a house neighbouring Maribe’s. The firearm was found in the possession of one Brian Kasaine in an estate in Lang’ata and was taken for ballistic tests to determine whether it matched the bullet found under the journalist’s bed. Maribe subsequently denied knowledge of how the live bullet ended up under her bed.
Citizen TV journalist Jacque Maribe resumed duties at the Royal Media Services owned TV station on Monday. According to sources, Maribe will not be on the tv screens but will take up the role of a news editor. She will arrange and compile the news stories.
After being released from prison, this is what Jacque Maribe wants to dohttps://t.co/jX59aUDaST pic.twitter.com/BiArKkVuyM
— Classic 105 Kenya (@Classic105Kenya) November 29, 2018
“I am told she was back at work yesterday and will essentially hold her old responsibilities minus going on air. So in essence she is a news Editor who will compile and arrange stories that will run on air,” a source is quoted by Kiss FM. Ms Maribe has been out on bail for the past one month and only gained access into her Lang’ata home a week ago.
Her phone and car are still being held by the police as they are exhibits in the murder case of businesswoman Monica Kimani. The journo was charged with the deceased’s macabre murder alongside her fiance Joseph Kuria Irungu alias Jowie. One of the bail conditions as set by Justice James Wakiaga was that she will not read the news nor conduct interviews that touch on the murder case.