- Jowie had pleaded with the court to grant him a non-custodial sentence in the murder case.
- The judge ruled out a non-custodial sentence saying that it would not serve any purpose.
Image: SCREEN GRAB
The mother of Joseph Irungu alias Jowie has maintained that his son is innocent.
The High Court sentenced Jowie to death for the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani in 2018.
Speaking shortly after the judgement, Jowie's mother said that she believes her son did not commit the offence and will be out of Prison in God's time.
"I believe my son is innocent, he has not done any wrong and has not killed anyone. I believe there is a God of a second chance who will make him get out of prison," she said.
Jowie's mother cited the Biblical story of Joseph saying just like him, he will be helped out of the situation.
"My son Jowie is Joseph in the bible who suffered but God helped him. He will be released, that is why I still have the strength that my son will be released when the right time comes."
In the ruling delivered by Judge Grace Nzioka, the court found that the evidence presented was convincing that the accused committed murder.
"Based on everything I have said, I have ordered that the first accused person, being Joseph Kuria Irungu alias Jowie, shall suffer death as provided for the offence of murder under Section 204 of the Penal Code of Kenya," Justice Nzioka ruled.
"It was not a defensive act. It was not out of provocation. It was planned, intended, and executed."
Justice Nzioka said she considered three factors in determining the sentencing including how the offence was committed, the consequence of the offence and Jowie's personality.
Jowie had pleaded with the court to grant him a non-custodial sentence in the murder case.
The judge ruled out a non-custodial sentence saying that it would not serve any purpose.
“He says he expresses his sadness that such a tragic loss of life on extreme circumstances bordering on absolute madness beyond understanding even for him,” the judge said.
Justice Nzioka added that it was also Irungu’s prayer “that the family of the deceased will find peace and that her soul rests in peace”.
The family of the deceased wanted Jowie sentenced to death.
On February 9, Jowie was found guilty of the murder of businesswoman Kimani, while his co-accused, former TV presenter Jacque Maribe was acquitted.
Maribe was acquitted based on the prosecution's failure to adduce sufficient evidence incriminating her.