Who Is Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu? Biography, Wiki, Wife, Age, Family & Facts About Monica Kimani’s Murderer
Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu or Joseph Irungu, also known as Jowie, is a Kenyan man who was recently convicted of murdering Monica Kimani, a businesswoman with links to South Sudan, in September 2018. His ex-fiancé, Jacque Maribe, a former TV news anchor, was acquitted of the same charge.
The case has been one of the most sensational and controversial in Kenya’s history, attracting widespread media attention and public interest. But who is Jowie Irungu, and what led him to commit such a heinous crime? Here are some facts about his life, background, relationship, and involvement in the murder.
Early Life and Education
Jowie Irungu was born in 1981 in Nakuru, Kenya. He is the second-born in a family of two boys and two sisters. He attended Kenya Polytechnic, where he pursued a diploma in Information Technology. He later joined the Technical University of Kenya, where he graduated with a degree in the same field.
Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu Wiki/Bio
| Name | Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu |
| Date of Birth | 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Nakuru, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Ethnicity | Kikuyu |
| Religion | Christian |
| Education | Kenya Polytechnic, Technical University of Kenya |
| Occupation | Security Officer, Gospel Musician |
| Spouse | None (Ex-fiancé: Jacque Maribe) |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Joseph Irungu (deceased), Margaret Wangechi Irungu (deceased) |
| Siblings | One brother and two sisters |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
| Controversies | Convicted of murdering Monica Kimani in 2018 |
| josephirungu | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career and Security Work
Jowie Irungu had a passion for security work since his childhood. He joined a private security firm in Kenya, where he worked as a guard and a driver. He also provided VIP security for several politicians and celebrities in the country.
He later moved to Dubai, where he worked for another security company that offered protection to high-profile clients. He claimed to have received training from the British Army and the Recce Squad, an elite unit of the Kenya Police Service.
Relationship with Jacque Maribe
Jowie Irungu met Jacque Maribe, a popular TV journalist and anchor, in 2017. They fell in love and got engaged in June 2018, in a lavish proposal that was attended by their friends and family. They seemed to be a happy couple until their relationship was rocked by the murder of Monica Kimani.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Jowie Irungu’s net worth and income sources are not publicly known, but it is speculated that he had a lucrative career in security before his arrest. According to Nairobi News, he worked for at least two military contract companies in Afghanistan and Iraq, namely KBR and O’Gara Corporation.
These companies are known to pay their employees handsomely, especially for high-risk assignments. Jowie also claimed to have received training from the British Army and the Recce Squad, an elite unit of the Kenya Police Service. He also provided VIP security for several politicians and celebrities in Kenya, such as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and singer Bahati.
He also had plans to open a high-end security firm in Kenya, after he engaged with Jacque Maribe in June 2018. However, his income sources were cut off after his arrest and detention, and he had to rely on his family and friends to raise his bail money of Sh2 million.
Parents and Siblings
Jowie Irungu was born in 1981 in Nakuru, Kenya. He is the second-born in a family of two boys and two sisters. His parents were the late Joseph Irungu and the late Margaret Wangechi Irungu, who died in February 2020 and February 2019, respectively, of cancer and diabetes. They had settled in Murang’a town in the 1960s and worked as mechanics.
Jowie was close to his parents and siblings, and they often visited him in prison and supported him during his trial. His sister, Nelius Irungu, even appealed to well-wishers to contribute to his bail fund, saying that they had only managed to raise Sh80,000. His brother, George Irungu, also defended him from the murder allegations, saying that he was innocent and framed.
Nationality, Ethnicity and Religion
Jowie Irungu is a Kenyan citizen by birth and belongs to the Kikuyu ethnic group, which is the largest and most influential in the country. He is also a Christian by faith and has professed his salvation and devotion to God, especially after his release from prison.
He ventured into gospel music, releasing songs such as ‘Nishikilie’, ‘Ella’, and ‘Pokea Sifa’. He also often posted Bible verses and inspirational messages on his social media accounts, expressing his gratitude and faith in God.
Professional Career
Jowie Irungu had a passion for security work since his childhood. He joined a private security firm in Kenya, where he worked as a guard and a driver. He later moved to Dubai, where he worked for another security company that offered protection to high-profile clients. He then worked for military contract companies in Afghanistan and Iraq, where he was exposed to war and violence.
He claimed to have received training from the British Army and the Recce Squad, an elite unit of the Kenya Police Service. He also provided VIP security for several politicians and celebrities in Kenya. He had plans to open a high-end security firm in Kenya, but his career was cut short by his arrest and conviction for the murder of Monica Kimani.
Controversies
Jowie Irungu’s life has been marred by controversies, especially after his involvement in the murder of Monica Kimani. He was accused of using his expertise in security to gain access to Monica’s apartment, where he allegedly killed her after she refused to give him some money that he had requested. He then fled the scene, leaving behind his jacket and a bullet wound on his chest, which he claimed to have sustained in a robbery attempt.
He was arrested and charged with the murder, along with his ex-fiancé, Jacque Maribe, who was accused of being an accessory to the crime. The case attracted a lot of media attention and public interest, as it exposed the dark side of greed, lust, and violence. Jowie was found guilty of the murder, while Jacque was acquitted. Jowie is now facing a possible death penalty or life imprisonment for his crime.
Physical Appearance
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 9″. In Meters: 1.75 m. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 70 kg. In Pounds: 154.32 lbs. |
| Hair Color | Black. |
| Eye Color | Black |
Involvement in the Murder of Monica Kimani
Monica Kimani was a 28-year-old businesswoman who had made a fortune in South Sudan, where she ran a family-owned company that supplied tents, water, and fuel to NGOs and government agencies. She was found dead in her apartment in Nairobi on September 20, 2018, with her throat slit and her body tied up in a bathtub. She had just returned from Juba, where she had allegedly received a huge amount of money.
The main suspect in her murder was Jowie Irungu, who was identified by several witnesses as the last person to see her alive. He had visited her at her home on the night of September 19, 2018, using a fake ID card. He allegedly killed her after she refused to give him some money that he had requested. He then fled the scene, leaving behind his jacket and a bullet wound on his chest, which he claimed to have sustained in a robbery attempt.
Jowie Irungu was arrested on September 25, 2018, and charged with the murder of Monica Kimani. His ex-fiancé, Jacque Maribe, was also arrested and charged with being an accessory to the murder after the police accused her of trying to conceal evidence by burning Jowie’s clothes and giving false information. They both pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody, pending trial.
Trial and Conviction
The trial of Jowie Irungu and Jacque Maribe began in June 2019, before Justice Grace Nzioka of the High Court. The prosecution presented 34 witnesses and various exhibits, including CCTV footage, DNA samples, phone records, and ballistic reports, to prove their case. The defense also presented their witnesses and evidence, including an alibi for Jowie and a psychiatric report for Jacque.
On February 9, 2024, Justice Nzioka delivered her verdict, finding Jowie Irungu guilty of the murder of Monica Kimani, and Jacque Maribe not guilty of the same charge. She said that the prosecution had adduced adequate evidence and met the threshold to prove that Jowie Irungu had intentionally killed Monica Kimani, without giving her a chance to survive.
She also said that Jacque Maribe had been wrongly charged and that she should instead face prosecution for giving false information to the police. She acquitted her of the murder charge and set her free. She ordered Jowie Irungu to remain in custody until he was sentenced on March 8, 2024.
Jowie Irungu is a man whose life took a dark turn when he killed Monica Kimani, a young and successful businesswoman, in cold blood. His actions not only ended her life, but also ruined his own, and that of his ex-fiancé, Jacque Maribe, who was dragged into the case by association.
He is now facing a possible death penalty or life imprisonment for his crime, while Jacque Maribe is trying to rebuild her career and reputation after being acquitted. The case has been a lesson for many Kenyans, who have followed it with keen interest and mixed emotions. It has also exposed the dangers of greed, lust, and violence, and the need for justice and accountability.
