Just a few years ago, Jackie Maribe, was among the leading news anchors and political reporters in the country, a career that she worked so hard to build before life took a sharp turn on her.
Her journey to success was elevated when she joined Statehouse girls for her high school education, where she shared a dormitory with gospel singer Size 8. She later proceeded to University of Nairobi and graduated with a degree in Journalism. In 2005, she landed a role in an award winning film titled Constant Gardener where she played the role of Wanza Kiluhu.
4 years later, Jackie began practicing her journalism profession after landing a job at K24 as a senior political reporter. The mother of one then joined Radio Africa group in 2011 as a political affairs reporter. In October 2012, she quit and was absorbed by Citizen as a reporter.
Her journey in motherhood began on May 14, 2014 when she welcomed her son, whose father is believed to be Eric Omondi, a comedian. The duo had met when they were both employees at Radio Africa and got involved romantically.
Her big break in Journalism came when Janet Mbugua had to proceed to maternity leave in October 2015 after her wedding with Eddie Ndichu.
Maribe was named as Mbugua’s replacement on Prime Time news, a job that she performed so well.
Sour Engagement
Things went on so well until she got involved with Joseph Irungu alias Jowie. They were a couple, although it was under wraps, until the engagement happened on June 30, 2018 . After exactly two and a half months of the lovely engagement, instead of them becoming lifetime partners, they ended up being co-accused in a murder that became of a nationwide interest.
The fate of Maribe and Jowie in the murder of Monica Kimani, a Kenyan business woman who based in Juba, South Sudan, is close to being determined four years later.
They are the main suspects behind the gruesome murder Kimani, which occurred in her apartment in Kilimani September 19, 2018.
The victim had just arrived from Juba, and was leaving for Dubai on the same night, according to her brother who gave an account of the events before she met her untimely death.
So far, the officer investigating Monica’s death, Maxwell Otieno, placed Jowie at the scene of crime. Investigators believe that Jackie and Jowie jointly murdered Kimani following investigations and exhibits collected from the scene of crime at Lamuria Gardens and Royal Park Estate where Jowie and Jackie lived. CCTV footage showed Jowie leaving the scene of crime at 23.35pm on the night Monica was murdered. He was dressed in a white Kanzu, gray coat and a maroon cap, items that he is said to have burnt on the fateful night at their place.
What has gotten Kenyans surprised is that Jackie was among the top people who announced Monica’s murder the following day.
After being linked to the murder, Jackie’s face on the screen disappeared. Royal Media Services did not fire her, but placed her on a behind the scenes job. She however resigned in July 2019, taking a break from the media.
A year later, she made a comeback with a political show on YouTube but she is yet to make a name out of it.
RELATED STORY:Jackie Maribe, Her Sister Endorse Other Politicians At The Expense Of Their Father’s Political Ambition
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