Joseph “Jowie” Irungu has not received a presidential pardon, despite widespread speculation circulating on social media, his lawyer Andrew Muge has confirmed.
Muge clarified that the inmate named in a gazette notice as pardoned under the presidential Power of Mercy is not his client. According to the notice, the pardoned inmate, Joseph Irungu Maina, was serving time at Naivasha Prison, while Jowie remains incarcerated at Kamiti Maximum Prison in Nairobi.
The rumors had emerged following President William Ruto’s recent pardon of 57 individuals, an act meant to promote restorative justice and rehabilitation. However, Jowie was not among those released.
Confident in the Appeal
Nonetheless, Jowie’s legal team remains optimistic about his ongoing appeal challenging his sentencing. In that ruling, High Court Judge Grace Nzioka handed Jowie a death sentence after finding him guilty of the 2018 murder of businesswoman Monica Kimani.
“We do not need the pardon as the appeal will succeed soon as it is in play,” Muge asserted.
Judiciary Delays Hamper Progress
Despite the legal team’s optimism, the appeal process has stalled due to delays within the judiciary. Muge blamed the criminal registry for failing to prepare and submit essential documentation to the Court of Appeal and to all parties involved.
“Unfortunately, the criminal registry has been the cause of the delay in moving the appeal,” Muge told Citizen Digital.
Unlike civil appeals, where parties typically prepare their own court records, criminal appeals depend on the judiciary’s criminal registry to compile and submit the record of appeal. Muge noted this procedural requirement has slowed progress.
Recent Movement Offers Hope
Muge expressed hope that the process may finally be moving forward.
“We have seen some movement over the last two weeks, and hopefully the record will be provided as required under the Court of Appeal rules,” he said.
Jowie, now 33, was found guilty of brutally murdering Monica Kimani on the night of September 19, 2018.
Justice Nzioka sentenced him to death on March 13, 2024, stating that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge described the killing as “heinous” and “well-orchestrated.”
As Jowie’s legal team pushes forward with the appeal, they remain confident that the appellate court will overturn the conviction.
