Monica Kimani case: Court told murder weapon has never been recovered

The prosecution has closed the Monica Kimani murder case where Joseph Irungu alias Jowie and Jacque Maribe have been charged with killing the late businesswoman at her house in Lamuria Gardens.

The prosecution called over 40 witnesses to testify against the two suspects over the murder that occurred on September 19, 2018.

Investigating Officer Chief Inspector Maxwell Otieno, who was the last witness to testify, on Wednesday told the court that the murder weapon has never been recovered.

Otieno, who was questioned by Maribe's lawyer Katwa Kigen, told the court that since the murder in 2018, police have never recovered a sharp object which was allegedly used to murder Monica by the main suspect Jowie.

“We really bothered, we did a thorough search around the house but unfortunately we were never able to get it (weapon),” he said.

Otieno was also taken to task by Kigen over his decision to charge Maribe with murder arguing that there was no evidence that she was in contact with the main suspect during the period when the act allegedly took place.

“As far as you're concerned she is connected to this murder in the five items you have listed there; the use of motor vehicle belonging to the second accused, the burning of clothes, the switching off of the phone, the two statements and that they were together in club,” said Kigen.

Otieno responded; “The weapon that was used in the process of that murder, that facilitated the submission by the deceased person, is now found in the house of accused number 2…and as I said accused number 2 facilitated accused number one by availing her vehicle which took him to the house of the deceased.”

The investigating officer also told the court that Maribe had made a false report at Lang’ata Police Station when Jowie shot himself at their house.

“The first report was made at Lang’ata Police Station about the shooting incident that had allegedly happened to them which was a false report. The truth of the matter is the first accused person shot himself in the house number,” he said.

Otieno further confirmed to the court that Maribe had no relationship or contact with the deceased.

Trial Judge Grace Nzioka has directed the parties to file their submissions and appear on September 30, 2022 for highlighting of the submissions.