NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 26 – In a surprising turn of events, former TV anchor Jacque Maribe has requested the court to postpone the delivery of her judgment in the Monica Kimani murder case, citing illness.
The court was scheduled to issue the judgment at 9 am on Friday after months of postponement which Maribe had opposed.
However, when the time arrived, only Maribe’s former lover, Jowie Irungu alias Jowie, was present in court.
Maribe’s advocate, Katwa Kigen, appealed to trial Judge Grace Nzioka to consider accommodating Maribe’s request due to her illness whose details were not immediately made public.
State prosecutor Gakoe Gichuhi however, insisted on seeing the medical documents as proof.
Gichuhi did not oppose the adjournment, acknowledging that sickness is beyond one’s control.
Maribe, through her lawyer, informed the court that she expected to recover within the next seven days and expressed her willingness to have the judgment delivered in Naivasha, where the trial judge typically presides.
Kigen emphasized Maribe’s indisposition and her genuine intention to be present in court, saying that both her parents were available as a clear indication of her desire to attend the proceedings.
Trial Judge Nzioka rescheduled the judgment for March 15, declining Maribe’s request to have it delivered in Naivasha due to resource constraints. Katwa then requested the adjournment, noting that it was the first time Maribe had not attended court.
Jowie, represented by his advocate Hassan Nandwa, expressed readiness to proceed but also showed willingness to accommodate Maribe’s situation, acknowledging that sickness is not a matter of choice. Similarly, the victim’s family requested a sooner date, as they had been eagerly awaiting the case’s outcome.
After hearing all parties involved, Justice Nzioka granted the adjournment but clarified that this was not the first time Maribe had sought one. The court noted two previous instances during the trial when hearings had to be postponed due to her unavailability.
Justice Nzioka also urged all counsels to ensure their clients were informed promptly about any adjournments to manage their expectations and anxieties regarding the case’s progress.
