Details of Maribes bail application in Monica Kimani murder case

Citizen TV journalist Jacque Maribe has urged the court to grant her bail pending the hearing and determination of her case.

This comes after the prosecution asked the court not to grant the media personality and her fiancé Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu bail in a case where they are charged with the murder of Monica Kimani.

Also Read: Why DPP wants Maribe, Jowie denied bail in Monica Kimani murder case

Maribe argues that there are no compelling reasons to deny her bail, adding that she was not involved in the gruesome murder, was not at the crime scene and had no prior knowledge of the deceased.

In her affidavit, Maribe also says that, since she was arrested on September 29, 2018 after being invited to assist in investigations, she has cooperated with investigators on more than nine separate instances and will continue to do so even when granted bail.

“I have surrendered myself, availed my car, handed over my house, handed over my phone, cooperated for DNA tests all without any summons to appear and/or warrants to search and/or warrants to seize,” reads the affidavit filed through her lawyer Katwa Kigen.

In the five-page affidavit, the journalist argues that she has not been in contact with any of the prosecution witnesses hence would not interfere with the investigations.

She further states that she is not a flight risk and that, if need be, she is willing to deposit her passport with the court.

“I am a well-known T.V journalist working with Citizen TV as a prime time news anchor. Most Kenyans are conversant with my job and can easily spot me anywhere therefore making it impossible for me to jump bail,” states the affidavit.

Maribe, who has been in custody for 16 days now, also adds that she does not have a criminal record and does not intend to travel outside of the court’s jurisdiction if granted bail.

It is also her argument that her son who is at a tender age of four years will deeply suffer if she is denied bail and to remain in remand.

“I am a single mother of a child aged four years who solely depends on me for social and financial upkeep. The child is of tender age and will deeply suffer if I remain in custody until the conclusion of the trial, which is undetermined,” she adds.

“I pray for release on bail in the name of the presumption of right that I am entitled to, to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

Maribe also presented to the court an affidavit detailing the events of the night of September 19 when her fiancé allegedly shot himself in her house in Lang’ata, Nairobi.

According to the Citizen TV journalist, Irungu walked into the house while she was already in bed.

Shortly after, Maribe states that she heard a gunshot sound in her closet area, before finding Irungu lying on the floor, with blood oozing from his upper left chest.

She further states that she got back to her room to seek help through her phone only for Irungu to rush outside to their neighbour Brian Kassaine’s house while still bleeding from the chest.

Maribe and Joseph Irungu alias Jowie on Monday morning pleaded not guilty to the charge of killing Monica Kimani.

Appearing before Judge Jessie Lessit, the two were jointly charged with the murder of Ms. Kimani on September 19, 2018.

Maribe is currently remanded at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison while Jowie remains at the Industrial Area Remand Prison.