Joseph 'Jowie' Irungu, charged with the alleged murder of Monica Kimani in Nairobi and released on bail in February, left many Kenyans surprised as details surfaced of his new career move.
Jowie, the ex-fiance of media personality Jacque Maribe who was also charged in the case, is set to release a Gospel single dubbed Nishikilie on Wednesday, August 19.
The song will be released by Safri Records, a Nairobi-based label that primarily works with Urban Gospel artists. Among artists signed by the label are Jaki Maya, Zawadi and Dar Mjomba.
Contacted by Kenyans.co.ke, the record label refused to confirm whether Jowie had officially signed a contract as an artist under the label, given the murder charge looming over his head.
A source, however, disclosed that a team at the label was actively working on Jowie's new brand as an artist, as well as the distribution, marketing and promotion of his music.
Nishikilie, it was revealed, is a Swahili gospel single with the source claiming that Jowie harboured talents including strong vocals and song-writing skills.
Before the February ruling from Justice James Wakiaga, Irungu had been denied bail twice and spent over a year at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
He became the central suspect in the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani after it was established that he was the last person seen leaving her Kilimani apartment on that fateful night.
Her lifeless body was found in the bathtub in a gruesome scene; her throat slit and hands and legs tied.
The private security contractor, who was at the time living with Maribe in Lang'ata, Nairobi, pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him, as did the former Citizen TV anchor.
Maribe was drawn into the case after it emerged that she was spotted with a bleeding Jowie later on that night.
Out on bail since October 2018, Maribe has also been charting new paths and recently made a come-back into media with a new political talk show.
Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang'ata was the first guest on the show, with Maribe promising more high-profile interviews and discussions.
While delivering the bail ruling in Jowie's case, Wakiaga noted that all key witnesses in the case had testified. Jowie was barred from speaking about the case to the media or discussing it on social media.
He was also required to check in with his area chief at the end of every month.
