Jowie Irungu Challenges Death Penalty as Cruel and Inhumane Punishment in his Appeal to the High Court
Written by moradio on 18 April 2024
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 18- Jowie Irungu, a convicted murderer, has appealed to the High Court, arguing that the death penalty imposed on him as a form of punishment that violates human dignity.
He was sentenced to death by Justice Grace Nzioka on March 14 for the murder of Monica Kimani. Jowie has appealed his conviction and sentence at the Appellate Court.
In his plea to the Milimani Law Courts, he contends that the method of executing the death penalty is excessively cruel and violates Article 25 of the constitution, which safeguards fundamental rights including freedom from torture or degrading punishment, slavery and the right to a fair trial.
Jowie asserts that his sentencing for the Monica Kimani murder breaches his inherent right to freedom from torture and inhumane treatment and is seeking a declaration to that effect from the court.
He has filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General in pursuit of his petition.
In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled the mandatory death sentence unconstitutional, granting judges discretion to determine whether to impose the death penalty or life imprisonment.
