Murder suspect Kevin Kang’ethe made headlines when he escaped from custody at the Muthaiga police station in Nairobi, sparking a high-profile search.
However, his escape was short-lived, and after several months of legal battles, Kang’ethe was arrested and extradited to the United States on September 1, 2024.
His case drew significant international attention, especially in the U.S., due to the nature of the crime and his dramatic flight from justice.
Kang’ethe is accused of killing 31-year-old Margaret Mbitu, a Kenyan-born woman residing in Whitman, Massachusetts.
Mbitu’s body was discovered in a vehicle at Boston’s Logan Airport in November 2023.
She had been missing since October 30, 2023, after leaving her job as a healthcare aide in Halifax.
Her disappearance was reported by her family, leading to a wide search before her tragic discovery.
The legal proceedings surrounding Kang’ethe’s extradition were lengthy and complex.
A Nairobi court issued the order for his extradition in July 2024 after a six-month legal battle.
The court found sufficient evidence linking Kang’ethe to the crime of first-degree murder, though it clarified that it was not responsible for determining his guilt, which would be the role of a trial court in the U.S.
Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, who presided over the extradition case, ruled in favor of Kang’ethe’s surrender to the U.S.
He explained that the evidence provided met the criteria for extradition, and emphasized that the case should proceed in the appropriate trial court.
“The application is therefore allowed,” Onyina ruled, affirming that Kang’ethe should be handed over to U.S. authorities to face charges under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 265, Section 1, for first-degree murder.
The extradition was the result of collaboration between Kenyan and U.S. authorities, with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga assuring FBI Director Christopher Wray in June 2024 that Kenya would expedite the case.
Prosecution Counsel Vincent Monda presented evidence in court that linked Kang’ethe to the murder. When Kang’ethe was arrested on January 30, 2024, in Westlands, he was found with items belonging to Mbitu, including her driver’s license, a Bank of America debit card, and a Visa card, further connecting him to the crime.
Kang’ethe’s escape from Muthaiga police station in February 2024 only added to the drama surrounding the case.
He had been detained while awaiting his extradition ruling, but managed to flee custody.
His freedom was short-lived, as he was recaptured in Embulbul, Ngong, on February 13, 2024, while staying with a relative.
Once in the U.S., Kang’ethe faced charges for Mbitu’s murder.
He was denied bail during his arraignment before the Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on September 3, 2024, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case continues to garner attention as the legal process unfolds, with the victim’s family and the public seeking justice for Margaret Mbitu’s tragic death.
This case highlights the complex nature of international extradition processes and the continued efforts by both Kenyan and U.S. authorities to ensure that those accused of serious crimes face justice, no matter where they try to hide.
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