Jacque Maribe’s employer, Royal Media Services has for the first time today spoken about their employee Jacque Maribe. After Miss Maribe yesterday appeared in court before Judge James Wakiaga for her bail application hearing, Royal Media Services has now pleaded with the court to release the accused on bail.
In a Press statement on this morning, Royal Media Services, Group Managing Director Wachira Waruru expressed confidence that the Citizen TV journalist, Jacque Maribe would adhere to bail conditions if released.
“Having engaged her for the last six years and assessing her performance, we hereby vouch for her character and recommend for her admission to bail,” the statement reads.
Jacque Maribe and her fiance Jowie Irungu yesterday also took plea afresh after their charges were read to include other suspects not present before the court. The two pleaded not guilt to the charges for a second time.
MD, Mr. Wachira Waruru defended Jacque Maribe saying that her record of employment was clean citing her experience working as a reporter and her recent promotion to an news anchor for the station’s Frday Prime Time News.
“Due to her exceptional performance she has been appointed to the position of Friday’s prime time news anchor on the station. She joined the company as a reporter on Citizen Television and was later promoted to the position of senior reporter on the same station. Arising from the promotion, she was assigned huge national and international events which she undertook successfully,” said Mr. Waruru.
Katwa Kigen, Miss Maribe’s lawyer, had a difficult time in court while he sought bail for his client. Jacque Maribe’s cry for bail was met with a lot of objection from the prosecution let by Catherine Mwaniki, who alluded to the fact that, by virtue of being a media personality and specifically on the screen, she would intimidate witnesses who were expected to testify against her in the murder case.
The prosecutor also added that Maribe ought to be grounded so that she does not mingle with members of the public.
“All we are saying is that being a media personality, there is a high possibility that while mingling with the members of the public, she is likely to take advantage to influence the witnesses,” the assistant DPP said.
There’s seems to be a little hope for Maribe as Judge Wakiaga didn’t seem convinced by the prosecutor’s arguments on how being on TV could influence or intimidate witnesses asking her to elaborate the link between Maribe’s profession and the objection to her bail.
“Just elaborate so that I understand. I don’t know what she does because like I told you last time, I don’t clearly watch news. But I have been told she reads news and interviews people,” said Justice Wakiaga.
According to the statement released, Royal Media Services has confirmed that Jacque Maribe is still an employee of the firm but has taken leave to attend to personal matters.
The ruling on the bail application is to be heard on Tuesday, October 30.
Do you think your boss would defend you if you were involved in a murder case?