News of the release of Joe Irungu, alias Jowie, from prison on Thursday, set the Internet ablaze, as netizens, who have stood in solidarity with the murder suspect, since his incarceration in 2018, broke into celebration.
Jowie spent close to two years behind bars, first at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, and later at the Manyani prison, for allegedly murdering businesswoman Monica Kimani in 2018.
His case was made prominent after he was arrested together with his ex-girlfriend, former Citizen TV news anchor Jacque Maribe, who was later released.
In their usual hilarious fashion, Kenyans on Twitter immediately credited Jowie’s breakthrough to ODM leader Raila Odinga, who on Wednesday, during the burial service of former president Daniel Moi, paid his last respects in a dramatic manner, at one point, appearing to shout Jowie’s name out loud.
”Jowi!Jowi!Jowi!’‘ Raila chanted in Luo, sending the audience at the event into fits of laughter.
Jowie for Starehe MP 2022..Baba amesema.
pic.twitter.com/9px25x3fVB— Nebs (@ItsKubasu) February 13, 2020
Translated from Luo, the politician’s words mean ”Warrior”.
After news that the ‘Internet sweetheart’ had been freed on a Ksh2 million cash bail, netizens, however, insisted that Raila was praying to the gods for the inmate’s release.
Others credited the move by the court to Raila’s traditional flying whisk, which he used to bless Moi in his death.
Among the conditions set for Jowie’s release was that he should not discuss his case on social media.
He was also directed to report to the chief’s camp once every month.