Murder suspect Kelvin Kang'ethe claims mistreatment by prison staff

Kelvin Kang'ethe, the Kenyan national wanted in the U.S. for allegedly killing his girlfriend Margaret Mbitu, has claimed that he is being subjected to mistreatment by prison staff he says are denying him the opportunity to communicate with his lawyer.

Kang'ethe did not raise concerns regarding inadequate food or physical abuse from prison personnel.

The claims, however, were rejected by Martin Onyango, the superintendent of Prisons overseeing documentation.

“I am just shocked by what the respondent (Kang'ethe) is saying. The Kang'ethe I have in court is different from the Kang'ethe I have in prison because every time he wants to make calls, he is always escorted to my office where I give him the phone used by more than 4000 other inmates in the prison to make calls and he normally says thank you," said Onyango.

He likewise told the court that Kang'ethe had initially been held at the Industrial Area Remand and Allocation Centre Block K26, designated for housing high-risk clientele and persons charged with capital offences.

The court also heard that Kang'ethe was informed of his rights while in custody, including Article 49(1)(c) of the Constitution, and was told that he has the right to communicate with an advocate and other persons whose assistance is necessary.

The court also learned that Kang'ethe had been briefed on his rights while in custody, including those outlined in Article 49(1)(c) of the Constitution, which stipulates his entitlement to consult with a legal representative and other essential individuals.

Kang'ethe subsequently told the court that he required access to his phone to retrieve contact information for various individuals.

He explained that he had dismissed his current lawyers and intended to engage new legal representation.

Responding to this, the magistrate instructed that the accused be aided in obtaining the necessary contacts to secure new legal counsel before the next mention of the case on March 13.