‘Relieved, but still a long way from closure': Family of Monica Kimani speaks after court ruling

The family of the late Monica Kimani has welcomed the decision of the High Court that found Joseph Irungu alias Jowie guilty of the murder.

Monica's brother George Kimani, speaking in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV, said they were relieved after five years of waiting for justice.

“We’re relieved as a family that at least we’re coming to the final part of this long journey, because it has been a bit overwhelming, as a family we have gone through a lot,” he stated.

“We have waited for this judgment for long because it has been postponed over three times, so I was happy that we had to settle it today.”

George also stated that while their parents were both not present in the courtroom to hear the ruling, he informed them later on and they were also pleased with the verdict.

He further added that, despite the long wait now being over, closure may still elude some of the family members as the process has been long and arduous and they may even need to go for therapy in order to properly heal and move forward.

“It’s sad that he (father) wasn’t around but he was happy that we’re coming to the final stages of the case. Mum was also at home and we informed her later then went to see her and spent the whole afternoon at home,” stated George.

“The hearing was supposed to be on March 15, but we were told on Wednesday that it would be this Friday, and I think it was better to finish it up earlier because emotions were running up high and you know you need to give answers to family, friends and everyone wants to know what’s going on. Closure will take time, and there are people that will need to go for counselling because they were really affected with the matter.”

The High Court on Friday found Jowie guilty of the murder of Monica, who was brutally killed on the night of September 19, 2018, at her Lamuria Gardens apartment in Nairobi.

Lady Justice Grace Nzioka ruled that the prosecution had adduced adequate evidence and proved beyond reasonable doubt that Jowie indeed killed Monica.

Former TV news anchor Jacque Maribe, who was charged alongside Irungu, was however acquitted of the same charge, with the judge stating that the count of murder was not the proper charge that the prosecution should have preferred against her.