PH
Kenyan TV journalist Jacque Maribe who is facing murder charges is seeking to have Catherine Mwaniki from the office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Chief Investigator Maxwell Otieno jailed or fined Sh200,000 each.
Yesterday, the journalist filed a contempt of court application seeking to have the duo jailed for six months after she was allegedly barred from accessing her house.
According to Maribe, she had to beg for accommodation and clothes since her house remained secured as a crime scene.
Maribe also claimed that she had to borrow a mobile phone and that the DPP and DCI had remained mum despite numerous efforts to seek an explanation.
“The respondents, particularly the lead representative for the second respondent (DPP) Catherine Mwaniki and third respondent (DCI) Chief Investigator Maxwell Otieno, were present in court when the orders were made. They were hence aware of the orders and they participated in the consultations and discussed how best they could comply whilst in court prior to the court capturing it in its records as an order,” the application filed in court read.
“There has been no commitment on the said prosecution documents, handover and or position of the handover of the house, motor vehicle and telephone. In the result the second accused is being subjected to persecution in place of prosecution. No conceivable and/or good reason exists why the applicant cannot be given her car and her telephone,” her lawyer, Katwa Kigen said.
A showdown between journalist Jackie Maribe’s lawyers and the prosecution is expected in court today over the State’s alleged failure to comply with court orders.
Maribe’s car and mobile phone were confiscated as part of investigations into the murder of Monica Kimani.
Investigators claimed that Maribe’s co-accused and fiancé Joseph Irungu alias Jowie used the car.
