The dust on the Monica Kimani murder case is yet to settle even after the death sentence handed to the convict Jowie Irungu on Wednesday, March 13.
Hours after High Court judge Justice Grace Nzioka passed the sentence, the case was taken to the public opinion court with Kenyans sharing their views about what had befallen Jowie.
Comedian and content creator Eunice Mammito found herself trending after a skit she released shortly after the sentence.
In the video shared on her social media accounts, Mammito appeared to be mocking Jowie Irungu using Dolly Parton’s popular song ‘Joleen’ with her own lyrics intended at making puns out of the sentencing.
Part of the song was a message urging the person she called “Jowie” not to cry about the death sentence and instead see it as an opportunity to “scam us”.
“Don’t you cry because you got a death sentence, see it as an opportunity to scam us Jowie…,” the lyrics in the video clip read.
In her video, Mammito also mentioned other aspects associated with life in prison including a line stating that he would find an opportunity to perform his two released songs during the talent shows in jail.
Also Read: Jowie Irungu Handed Death Sentence
But her skit meant to evoke humor around Jowie’s sentencing evoked the opposite, with several social media users coming out to criticize her.
Ordinarily, Mammito enjoys a fair share of fans who celebrate and dislike her talent as a comedian. This time, however, the skit opened doors for Kenyans to express their disapproval, terming it as ill-timed.
Most of the comments called her out for being insensitive and taking advantage of Jowie’s predicaments to “chase clout” while some went to an extent of body shaming her.
“Even Dolly Parton wouldn’t be happy with this Jolene cover,” an X user named Sharon Jebitok wrote in her comment.
On her part, an X user named Adele Lide wrote, “Gal you’ve gone too far. You are mocking Jowie and his family. Kenyans should call you out.”
In a post on Thursday, March 14, morning, Mammito clapped back at the widespread criticism directed to her.
“I have a witnessed a very rare occurrence something that has not happened since 2002 people from every background uniting together for a reason, to cook me,” the under-fire comedian wrote.
“It gives me hope for the future that one day we shall unite and fight against corruption and other things ailing our country. Am in hot fire now, my soul wipes.”
Also Read: Jowie’s Final Prayers to Justice Grace Nzioka Raise Questions
Jowie Irungu’s sentencing
Meanwhile, focus now shifts to Jowie’s defense side to see their next course of action in reaction to the sentencing.
Speaking after the court session on Wednesday, March 13, Jowie’s mother and father maintained that they believed their son was innocent, and that the truth would eventually come out.
While referencing the Biblical Joseph story, the mother said that God would give her son a second chance. His legal team has 14 days to appeal the sentencing which could open other possibilities in the case.
On their part, Monicah Kimani’s relatives welcomed the sentencing, noting that their next focus would be to find closure after years of the court battle to seek justice for their daughter who was murdered under gruesome circumstances.