The suspect flew to Kenya in 2023 after allegedly killing Kenyan nurse Margaret Mbitu at a US-based airport
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga, on Monday, September 2 announced that he successfully secured the extradition of Kevin Kang’ethe to the United States of America (USA) where he is set to stand trial for murder.
Kang’ethe left Nairobi on September 1, 2024, and is set to face the charge of murder at Suffolk Superior Court in Pemberton Square, Boston on September 3, 2024.
The suspect flew to Kenya in 2023 after allegedly killing Kenyan nurse Margaret Mbitu at a US-based airport and was on the run until he was apprehended by Kenyan authorities to face the law.
He was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina who subsequently ruled that he be extradited.
Murder suspect Kevin Kang’ethe (centre) during a court session on February 14, 2024. /FILE
“I wish to reiterate my commitment and support whenever needed to the United States of America and in particular the prosecution team as they proceed with the next phase of the case,” said Ingonga in a statement, adding “To the family of the Late Margaret Mbitu, we offer our support and prayers.”
The extradition comes after Ingonga assured Federal Bureau Investigations (FBI) Director Christopher Wray during talks in Nairobi in June 2024 that his office was keen to ensure justice involving this case is done expeditiously.
This meeting came after reports of a jet operated by the FBI landing in Kenya on August 30. The jet then left the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi for Boston Logan International Airport.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) remains committed to executing its constitutional mandate in accordance with the rule of law and further, with due regard to public interest, the administration of justice, and prevention of abuse of the legal process,” added the statement.
Milimani Law Courts Chief Magistrate Onyina on Wednesday, July 31 approved an extradition order, ruling in favour of the prosecution’s application, directing that Kang’ethe be extradited to the Chelsea District Court in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, for the prosecution of an alleged first-degree murder offence, in accordance with Massachusetts General Law, chapter 265, section 1.
The Magistrate in his ruling found that the alleged offence of murder to which the Extradition Request and the Authority to Proceed relate meets the list test.
The court said the material laid established a link between Kang’ethe and the alleged offence of first-degree murder, adding that the court, not being a trial court, is not mandated to conduct a trial to determine his guilt or otherwise. Onyina referred to the existing Extradition Treaty between Kenya and the United States.Â
Kang’ethe had been behind custody at the Industrial Area Prison as he awaited the proceedings of his extradition to the US.
He had previously escaped from Muthaiga police station while awaiting extradition to the US on a first-degree murder charge. Following a meticulous intelligence operation in Ngong Township, Kajiado, he was apprehended under tight security.
Kang’ethe, who is alleged to have killed Mbitu at Logan International Airport in Boston, USA, was arrested on Monday night, January 29 in Nairobi’s Westlands area and detained at Gigiri Police Station.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Kang’ethe violently attacked and repeatedly stabbed the woman in the face and neck area causing catastrophic injuries that led to her death.
Gulfstream G550 jet attached to the Federal Bureau of Investigations. /FILE
