Murder suspect Kevin Kang'ethe denied bail, detained at maximum security prison

The Milimani High Court has denied the bail plea of murder suspect Kevin Kang'ethe pending an extradition hearing before the same court.

The ruling comes nine days after the prosecution team, led by Vincent Monda and Magdaline Nduati opposed Kangethe's plea citing several issues that make him a flight risk, among them his immediate departure from the United States following his alleged offence, which prompted an Interpol red alert and an arrest warrant issued by a US court.

While issuing the verdict, Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina shared the prosecution's sentiments,

"The magistrate referenced his escape from the United States after allegedly killing his girlfriend," the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said in a statement.

"With Kangethe's history of fleeing lawful custody and the seriousness of the charges he is facing, the magistrate deemed it necessary for him to remain in custody pending hearing."

Onyina likewise rejected Kangethe's plea to be remanded at a medium security facility and ordered his remand at a maximum security facility, highlighting concerns about his flight risk status.

"Furthermore, he ruled the items recovered from him would stay with the prosecution as evidence," said the ODPP.

The matter has been scheduled for hearing on April 29, 2024.

Kang'ethe is wanted in the US for the murder of Maggie Mbitu, his 31-year-old reported lover,  whose body was discovered inside a vehicle at Boston's Logan Airport in November last year.