- The Friday Judgment followed five years of court battle with TV presenter Jacque Maribe and her ex-lover Joseph Irungu alias Jowie taking the dock as the accused persons.
- The much-publicised murder had become a matter of public interest and many were keen to see how the matter would unfold in court.
Image: DOUGLAS OKIDDY
More often, Kenyans tend to shy away from matters court cases because of the big words that come with it.
However, the late businesswoman Monica Kimani's murder case judgement delivered by Justice Grace Nzioka on Friday, February 9, 2024, left Kenyans glued to their screens.
The Friday Judgment followed five years of court battle with TV presenter Jacque Maribe and her ex-lover Joseph Irungu alias Jowie taking the dock as the accused persons.
The much-publicised murder had become a matter of public interest and many were keen to see how the matter would unfold in court.
Before the judgement was rendered, the morning was full of anxiety as Kenyans waited for the outcome of the trial.
In the end, Justice Nzioka found Jowie guilty of murdering Monica Kimani and acquitted Maribe.
But even as the verdict sparked massive discussions on social media, the delivery of the judgement by Justice Nzioka won the admiration of many.
She started off the judgement in a calm and composed manner.
Step by step she narrated how she arrived at every decision as she poked holes into the submission of both the prosecution and the defence.
"I assure you that I have analyzed all submissions and evidence. I can read this judgment for six hours without a paper in my hand," she said.
Her mastery of the case and how she gave account of events that unfolded during the trial made Kenyans believe that indeed she had details of the case at her fingertips.
"Judge Grace Nzioka knows this case. She just glances and then speaks from the mind," Kieleleshwa MCA Robert Alai tweeted as the presentation of the judgement was on course.
As the judgement flowed blow but blow, Justice Nzioka would only pause to take a sip of water and resume analysing the submissions made during the trial.
Justice Nzioka judgement was devoid of legal jargon that would leave many Kenyans confused; it was simple and easy to comprehend.
Lawyer Donald Kipkorir described her as one of the brightest judges in the country.
He, in jest, however, said that since becoming a lawyer he has never seen Justice Nzioka smile.
"Lady Justice Grace Nzioka has an ascetic and austere demeanour but she is one of the brightest Judges in Kenya. And one with unimpeachable credibility. Her only downside is that after appearing in her court since she was a Junior Magistrate in then Sheria House Law Courts (many young lawyers don’t know we had courts there) until now as a Judge, I have never seen her laugh!"
But who is Justice Nzioka?
She has for years served as a judicial officer, rising through the ranks to become a judge of the High Court.
She has served in various divisions, including the commercial division and criminal divisions.
Justice Nzioka has since been involved in several high-profile cases.
The most notable case was that of former former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju.
She, however, recused herself and directed that the matter be mentioned before the presiding judge of the Commercial Division.
She previously headed a commission of inquiry into the Tana Delta clashes
Chief Justice Martha Koome moved her from Nairobi to the High Court in Naivasha where she is the president judge since September 15, 2022.