Former Citizen TV anchor, Jacque Maribe, on Thursday, May 11, told the Court that she was with former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko at the time of the murder of Monica Kimani on September 19, 2018.
According to the journalist, she was with the governor's entourage at an entertainment joint in Westlands on the night of the murder.
She indicated that she joined the governor and his two handlers after being hosted on Citizen TV for an interview.
Maribe added that they stayed at the entertainment joint and were joined by her ex-boyfriend Joseph Irungu alias Jowie later at night.
The parties stayed at the Westland's club through the night and left around 4 am.
“Sonko asked me to wait and at his request, I stayed at the station until 10 pm then went to the longue with his two handlers," she stated.
Learning of Monica's Death while Reading News
In her defence, Maribe told the court that she learned of the demise of Monica while reading 4 pm news on Citizen TV. She denied knowing her before the murder.
"I learnt about her death when I was reading a news bulletin. I urge this court to acquit me,” she testified.
Maribe was hosting Citizen Briefs at 4 pm on September 21, where she read news of Monica's death.
Motive
Maribe maintained that she did not know the deceased at the time of her death.
She also added that she did not talk to the co-accused - Joseph Irungu alias Jowie about Monica before the murder- hence no motive to act as an alibi.
"I did not know Monica Kimani. I had never met her. I had never communicated with her. I had never discussed with the first accused person or anyone else concerning Monica. I had no motive to want her dead," she told the court.
Maribe's Car
Regarding the alleged use of her car in committing the crime, she indicated that Jowie used to drop her off at work before using the vehicle to run errands.
She explained that she did not have control over his actions with the car.
Concealing Evidence
“The area where they claim we burnt the clothes is a public disposal area where any resident at the estate disposed their waste. It is untrue that I helped the first accused burn his clothes,” she stated.
The prosecution alleged that the former Citizen TV journalist helped destroy evidence by burning clothes allegedly used by the ex-boyfriend during the murder.
Maribe and Jowie were accused of participating in the murder of Monica Kimani, who was killed at her apartment on September 19, 2022.
The duo and their counsel concluded their defence on May 11.
The legal teams in the case are to submit their submission to the country in the next 14 days, with Justice Grace Nzioka set to listen to their final statements on Monday, June 26, before setting a date for the judgement.
