Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko claimed to have been with Jackie Maribe, a former Citizen TV newscaster, the night that businesswoman Monica Kimani was killed.
Sonko claimed in a statement that he does not turn on his pals when they are in trouble.
He further stated that, if required, he would be prepared to provide testimony on the subject in court.
Sonko, who at the time had made an appearance on the #JKLive show, claimed he made the decision to take some pals, including Maribe, out for drinks at a well-known city club, where they partied until about 4 in the morning before he left.
The former governor recalled that when Monica Kimani’s death came up, he requested a copy of the CCTV tape from that evening in case it might be required for the prosecution.
“On this matter, if I’m summoned by the court, I’ll tell the truth and nothing but the truth. Na kwa mukhtasari tu (in summary) I’m not the type of friend who disowns his friends at times of trouble.
It’s true that l was with Jacque Maribe at Citizen TV when I was being interviewed on the JKL show on the 19th of September, 2018, from about 9:45 pm.
I was accompanied by Chela Ruto, Hon. Juju, Hon. Nancy, Hon. Anita and other male friends by then Odhis, Show, Swaleh, Pinye, among others,” Sonko tweeted.
Adding:
“After the show, I volunteered to take all those who were with me for kamvinyo and nyama choma which belonged to my friend… Tulipiga sherehe kwanza mimi nilikuwa na piga Hennesiree Vsop na majiree na (We partied and I was taking Hennessy Vsop and water) around 4 am I left for home. Since hii Mushene was there from the day Jacque was arrested, I managed to download the CCTV ya the club. Iko.”
Jackie Maribe testifies in Court
Jackie Maribe, who is standing trial in the murder of Monica Kimani, disclosed to a Nairobi court Thursday that she learned of her death while reading the news bulletin on TV.
She told trial judge Grace Nzioka that on the night of September 19, 2018, which is when Monica was suspected to have been brutally murdered, she was at Royal Media Services’ studios doing interviews up to around midnight. She then left the company’s premises with her guests who were Juliet Julie alias Juju, Chelangat Ruto and Anita Thumbi.
The group went out and was later joined by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko. They remained in the club until 4am, she said.
Through lawyer Katwa Kigen, she told the court that at the time, she lived with the first accused, former lover Joseph Irungu alias Jowie, at her Royal Park Apartment home in Lang’ata. She said he would drop and pick her from work using her car, and that he had the vehicle the rest of the time.
Police had previously said that Jowie was driving the car when he was seen at Monica’s Kilimani home the day before her body was discovered.
“After dropping me at my workplace he would go and I did not have control of the vehicle after that,” Maribe told Justice Nzioka.
“I know nothing about the death of Monica and I did not kill her. I learnt about her death when I was reading a news bulletin. I urge this court to acquit me,” Maribe stated.
