Murder suspect Kevin Kang'ethe extradited to the US to face trial

Through the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga's approval, Kang'ethe was successfully extradited on Sunday and is set to face trial in Boston on Tuesday, September 3.

In a statement to newsrooms, DPP Ingonga affirmed his commitment to support the USA, particularly the prosecution team as they proceed with the next phase of the case.

"To the family of the Late Margaret Mbitu, we offer our support and prayers," said Ingonga.

Ingonga had previously assured the Federal Bureau Investigations (FBI) Director Christopher Wray in June 2024 that his office is keen to ensure justice is served.

Kang'ethe is wanted in the US for the murder of Mbitu, a 31-year-old whose body was discovered inside a vehicle at Boston's Logan Airport in November 2023. The victim was reported to be his lover.

The suspect then fled to Kenya and went into hiding until he was apprehended by Kenyan authorities.

Escape from custody

After his arrest in January and given a detaining order of 30 days to allow authorities to conduct further investigations, Kang'ethe mysteriously escaped from the Muthaiga Police Station.

A police report documenting the daring escape said that at around 4 pm on February 8, a man identified as John Maina Ndegwa arrived at the station and introduced himself to the officers as a personal lawyer to Kang'ethe and that he wished to talk to his client.

The officers are said to have obliged the request and removed the suspect from the cells leaving him alone with his 'lawyer' in a different room; anti-crime office number 3.

At around 5.30 pm the station commander only heard a commotion as her officers attempted to chase after the fleeing Kang'ethe.

The suspect was re-arrested on February 13 at a family-owned farm in Ngong where he used to leave at night to visit family and friends.

Acting on a tip from Kang'ethe's relative, who has since chosen to remain anonymous, police officers carefully surrounded the home before making the arrest.

The relative said he reported Kang'ethe since he was concerned that his disappearance was putting family members in trouble and that he also knew the killed alleged lover, Mbitu. 

The court later ordered that he be detained at the Industrial Area Remand Prison where he remained until his extradition.