Court orders Jowie to serve documents properly in his appeal case

A Nairobi High Court has directed the lawyer representing Joseph Kuria Irungu, famously known as Jowie, convicted of killing Nairobi businesswoman Monica Kimani, to comply with court orders.

Earlier, the court had directed that the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) be added as a party in the case and be served physically.

However, on Monday, June 9, 2025, it emerged that Jowie’s lawyer, Andrew Muge, did not serve the DPP physically as per the court directives but instead used an electronic method.

“The affidavit of service shows that the DPP was served electronically, contrary to the directions of the court on April 17, 2025,” Justice Mugambi stated.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi directed Jowie’s lawyer to comply with the directions of the court to serve the DPP physically, upon which he should file a return of service.

“I direct the petitioner to comply with the directions as to service of the DPP physically and file a return of service,” Justice Mugambi directed.

Further, he stated that the service be executed within seven days, and upon service, the DPP was ordered to file a response within 14 days.

Thereafter, Judge Mugambi stated that the petitioner may file a supplementary affidavit, if need be, together with submissions to the main petition.

“Respondents shall then file submissions within 14 days of receiving the petitioners’ submissions, and the petitioner may file a rejoinder submission within seven days from the date of receipt of the respondents’ submissions, if need be,” Judge Mugambi directed.

Jowie in Kamiti

Jowie is currently serving his death sentence at the Kamiti Maximum Prison as he awaits his appeal against his conviction to start.

Lady Justice Grace Nzioka convicted Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, a former private security provider, for the murder of Monica Kimani and sentenced him to death in February 2024.

Aggrieved by the death sentence by Lady Justice Nzioka, Jowie petitioned the High Court, challenging the constitutionality of the death penalty imposed on him, terming it cruel and inhumane.

Through his lawyer, Andrew Muge, he filed a notice of his intention to appeal against both the conviction and the sentence.

The convict argued that the death sentence imposed on him violates his right to life as prescribed by Article 26(1) of the constitution and wants the death penalty against him declared a degrading form of punishment.

On September 19, 2018, the deceased body was found in a bathtub, her throat slit and her hands and feet tied with cables in her Nairobi apartment.

The matter will be mentioned on October 21, 2025, before Justice Bahati Mwamuye for further directions.