Journalist Jacque Maribe and her fiance Joseph Irungu alias Jowie on Wednesday October 24, 2018 appeared in Court for their bail hearing following the charges facing them in Monica Kimani murder case.
Judge James Wakiaga however ruled that their bail ruling should be made on Tuesday 30, 2018.
Jacque Maribe’s lawyers rejected a bid by the DPP to stop the Citizen TV anchor from presenting news.
Journalist Jacque Maribe & fiancé Joseph Irungu to remain in custody till 30.10.18 when High Court will rule on their bail application. Prosecution is opposing their release on bail, saying they are a flight risk & could interfere with witnesses. #Murder_ODPP pic.twitter.com/jbl5vj3hwP
— ODPP_KE (@ODPP_KE) October 24, 2018
State counsel Catherine Mwaniki argued that the anchor should not appear on the screen as she would influence some of the witnesses in the Monica Kimani murder case.
The prosecutor argued that Maribe should further be grounded so that she does not mingle with members of the public.
“All we are saying is that being a media personality, there is a high possibility that while mingling with the members of the public, she is likely to take advantage to influence the witnesses,” the assistant DPP said.
Maribe and her fiance Joseph Irungu alias Jowie have denied killing Monica at her apartment in Kilimani on September 19.
They were charged afresh on Wednesday after the prosecution was allowed to amend the charge sheet.
Maribe’s lawyer Katwa kigen said the anchor has demonstrated cooperation saying this should go into informing the judge’s discretion.
He added that the relationship between a mother and her child cannot be supplemented by the rest of the family.
Judge James Wakiaga said Maribe and her fiancé will remain in custody until Tuesday, October 30, the day the court will rule on their bail application.
DPP’s post on twitter stirred the internet with many asking the DPP why they had to release Governor Okoth Obado who also can interfere with witnesses and deny Maribe bail.
They argue out that Obado is as well a flight risk.
What about of Okoth Obado? He is a flight risk & could interfere with witnesses. #Murder_ODPP
— Kenya Event Page (@kenyaeventspage) October 24, 2018
Flight risk!! They can deposit their traveling documents with the Court. Witnesses can be put under witness protection Unit by the Government
— Adede Adede (@adedeadedeh) October 24, 2018
Mngesema Obado ameachiliwa forever
— @di_key_mtemi (@ka_wamimo) October 24, 2018