Kenyan court urged to extradite Brian Kiplagat to UK over girlfriend’s alleged murder

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has urged the court to order the extradition of Brian Kiprop Kiplagat to the United Kingdom, where he is wanted over the alleged murder of fellow Kenyan Marianne Kilonzi.

Appearing before the court on Thursday,  the prosecution told the court that British authorities were seeking Kiplagat over offences allegedly committed in Woolwich, in the Borough of Greenwich, between January 12 and 28, 2025.

DPP opposed an attempt by the defence to introduce evidence challenging aspects of the extradition request, arguing that the proceedings were not intended to determine whether the allegations against Kiplagat were true.

The prosecution maintained that the court’s role was to establish whether the legal requirements for extradition had been met, leaving the merits of the charges to be determined by the courts in the UK.

According to the prosecution, Westminster Magistrates’ Court issued warrants against Kiplagat over eight counts, including murder, manslaughter, two counts of perverting the course of justice and four counts of fraud by false representation.

The allegations of perverting the course of justice relate to claims that Kiplagat placed laundry beads on Kilonzi and removed her mobile phone from her residence.

He is also accused of making unauthorised transfers from Kilonzi’s bank accounts to accounts held by him and unlawfully using her credit card.

Extradition documents indicate that Kiplagat and Kilonzi began a relationship in January 2024 after meeting on WhatsApp. He reportedly moved into her residence in September that year.

The prosecution told the court that Kiplagat’s constitutional rights, including access to healthcare, were being safeguarded. It also said property unrelated to the extradition proceedings would be returned to him.

The matter is scheduled for mention on November 5, 2026, with a ruling on the extradition request set for November 19, 2026.