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Jowie Sentenced to Death for 2018 Murder of Monica Kimani
In a solemn courtroom moment on Wednesday, March 13, Joseph Kuria Irungu, infamously known as Jowie, received the death sentence for the 2018 murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani. The verdict, delivered by High Court Judge Grace Nzioka, concluded that Irungu’s act was a calculated murder, devoid of any provocation or defense.
“His actions were deliberate, planned, and meticulously executed,” Judge Nzioka declared, underscoring the premeditation behind the crime. She dispelled any notions of the murder being a result of accidental circumstances.
The prosecution painted Irungu as a figure of danger, citing his unstable personal relationships and antisocial behavior patterns. “He exhibits impulsive and thrill-seeking tendencies, uses anger to manipulate others, and has shown a propensity for violence,” the court heard, referencing a probation report that portrayed Irungu as a man living on the edge.
Further detailing the gravity of Irungu’s actions, Judge Nzioka highlighted the massive impact on Kimani’s family. The murder not only led to the downfall of the family’s business venture in South Sudan but also inflicted severe emotional distress, with Kimani’s mother suffering from depression and a stroke as direct aftermaths.
“It is undisputed that the business collapsed after her demise and that it was the source of income for the family and we can all appreciate the natural and probable consequence of that,” the judge said.
Irungu’s conviction stems from the prosecution’s evidence, which convincingly proved his guilt in Kimani’s brutal killing at her Nairobi apartment on September 19, 2018. The judge lamented the broader societal implications of such a heinous act, pointing out the ripple effects of murder on the community and the moral fabric of society.
“In the wake of murder, countless lives are forever altered, dreams shattered, and hearts broken beyond repair,” Judge Nzioka said.
Ruto Calls for SHIF Registration
President William Ruto Monday called on Kenyans to embrace the newly launched Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), saying his government is dedicated to inclusive health coverage. “We are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind as we roll out the Universal Health Coverage,” he stated.
Ruto also said the SHIF program is affordabile. “Low-income earners will contribute as low as 300 Kenyan shillings a month, with the government stepping in to pay for those who are unable.”
He added there will be incorporation of advanced technology in managing SHIF to fight against wastage and corruption. “We are sealing the loopholes to ensure that public funds are directed towards providing quality healthcare to Kenyans.”
The President reassured Kenyans that the implementation of SHIF, along with the Critical Illness Fund aimed at covering expenses for severe diseases like cancer, would prevent financial hardships due to medical bills. “No Kenyan will have to sell his property to pay for medical bills,” he said.
These announcements were made in Kericho County, where President Ruto was inaugurating the Belgut Technical Training Institute and Belgut TTI Digital Hub as part of his development tour in the South Rift. He also addressed other pressing issues, such as the battle against illicit alcohol and drugs, stating, “Any enterprise found producing and selling poisonous alcohol will be shut down.”
Ruto outlined various initiatives to tackle unemployment, including the affordable housing program, the establishment of digital hubs, and the exportation of labor. These measures are expected to open up numerous job opportunities for Kenyans. “We plan to connect millions of homes, trading centres, bus parks, and fresh produce markets to the Internet,” he said.
Specifically, for Kericho County, he announced the construction of 5,000 affordable homes, anticipated to generate over 10,000 jobs, and the upgrade of the Kericho Airstrip to an airport to facilitate transportation. Additionally, he mentioned the opening of the Kericho Passport Centre, aimed at providing local access to passport services that were previously available only in distant locations like Kisumu or Nairobi.
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