A lot has been divulged about Monica Kimani since her untimely death. But it seems that with each passing day a crack appears in the narrative of this lady.
Quick recap: Monica was killed on September 19th at her Kilimani apartment. She was found with her hands tied behind her back, her throat having been slit from ear to ear.
Celebrated television anchor Jacque Maribe, her fiance Joseph Irungu and a neighbour, Mr. Brian Kassaine, have been arrested in connection with the killing.
How did Monica’s family get so well-connected in South Sudan?
Sources told the Daily Nation that Mr. Ngarama,(Monica’s father) moved to Juba in 2007 to sell newspapers, becoming well-known with the Kenyans there. A man who knew Ngarama said:
HE USED TO ALSO DELIVER NEWSPAPERS ON A BICYCLE, WAS VERY FRIENDLY AND LIVED AN ORDINARY LIFE.
The source also told the Nation that Mr. Ngarama later moved to Rumbek and became close to the then Bahr el Ghazal Governor, Mr. Awet Akot. Mr. Akot then developed a trust in him. This would herald his change in fortunes and be the beginning of the burgeoning family empire.
How does Monica get involved
In 2013, Mr. Ngarama would later invite his daughter to come and work in Rumbek. The source continued about the governor meeting Monica:
THE GOVERNOR LIKED HER SO MUCH THAT SHE WAS ALWAYS ACCOMPANYING HIM AND SHE ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS IN HIS OFFICE.
Mr. Ngarama, her father began establishing numerous churches in Rumbek, Juba and other parts of South Sudan with the help of the governor. He then expanded his Rebuilding Apostolic Faith Mission Church all over East Africa.
Later on Mr. Akot their benefactor became the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Sudan. He moved to Juba with his family and brought Ms. Kimani along although she was n’t working in his office.
A family friend told the Daily Nation that this was a boon to Monica as she was able to expand the family business in Juba:
THE FAMILY BUSINESS DEALT WITH COURIER SERVICES BETWEEN KENYA AND SUDAN BUT MONICA STARTED STOCKING THE PREMISES WITH BEAUTY PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY FROM KENYA AND UGANDA. GRADUALLY, THE BUSINESS GREW AND THEN SHE STARTED HER OWN INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS IN 2017 AND WON CONTRACTS FROM GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND OTHER PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE HELP OF MR AKOT’S CONNECTIONS.
With all the money she was making, Monica bought properties in Nairobi, Ruiru and Syokimau. A family member told the Daily Nation that she would travel to Nairobi twice a month to check on her properties and those Mr. Akot owned in Nairobi.
Other sources also told the paper that despite tough laws restricting the movement of money, Mr. Akot’s influence was enough to facilitate Monica’s travel with money across national borders.
According to the Daily Nation, close relatives and friends maintained that Ms. Kimani was married to Mr. Akot, and that is why the family had had a change in fortunes.