Journalist Jacque Maribe who is a suspect in the murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani Thursday defended herself saying she had no motive to want her dead.
Maribe told trial Judge Grace Nzioka that she did not know Monica.
She claimed that she only got to know her on the day she read the news item regarding her death.
“That was the first time I heard of her and saw her picture. I never met her. I did not have any discussion with Jowie regarding Monica,” she said.
She took the court through her movements on the day the offense is alleged to have occurred.
Jowie Irungu and Maribe are jointly accused that they murdered the 29-year-old Juba-based businesswoman in September 2018.
She was killed on the night of September 19, 2018, at Lamuria Gardens Apartments in Kilimani, Nairobi.
She had arrived from Juba, South Sudan where she was running the family business.
Maribe said on 19 September 2018, she left her residence at Royal Park for work.
Her then-fiancee Jowie drove her to RMS at around 8 am.
She said she was at RMS the whole day up until 9.30 pm.
As she was leaving, she met former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s entourage who was scheduled to attend an interview at her former workstation with Jeff Koinannge.
At 10 pm, Maribe left for Q Lounge a restaurant which is opposite Citizen TV.
She watched the interview on her phone until it run out of charge.
At around 11:30 pm, she said her colleague Monica Kiragu came to Q lounge and informed her that Jowie was looking for her.
“Since my phone was off he looked for me using Monica’s number,” she said.
Maribe later called Jowie and informed him that he was going to club 4040 with one Anita Thumbi and Sonko’s entourage.
Jowie asked Maribe if he could join them to which she obliged.
Maribe arrived at Club 4040 shortly after midnight.
Jowie arrived later and sat at a different table.
They had refreshments at the club until 4 am on 20 Sep 2018 and later left for home with Jowie.
Maribe in closing denied allegations made by the investigating officer that she participated and witnessed in the burning of a Kanzu allegedly worn by Jowie on the fateful day.
She did not call any witnesses.
The matter will be mentioned on June 26 to confirm whether parties will have filed their final submissions before the court renders its judgment.
