Kelvin Kang’ethe, the Kenyan who was wanted in the United State of America in connection to the murder of his girlfriend on the American soil, was on Sunday extradited to the US.
Kang’ethe, who was accused of committing the heinous act of murdering Margaret Mbitu in 2023, was extradited by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)on Sep 1, 2024. He was arrested by Kenyan authorities after staging a hideout in the country prompting a diplomatic intervention between the two countries.
In a statement, the ODPP mentioned that Kang’ethe was set to answer to murder charges in the foreign nation at the Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on September 3, 2024.
Kang’ethe upon arrest by Kenyan authorities, was presented before a court of law in Nairobi where the chief magistrate, Lucas Onyina, ruled that he be extradited to the US.
‘’I wish to reiterate my support and commitment whenever needed to the United States of America and in particular the prosecution as they proceed to the next face of the prosecution,’’ Renson Igonga, the Director of Public Prosecutions noted.
The ODPP also committed to supporting the family of the victim, Margaret Mbitu as they look forward to justice being served to them.
‘’To the family of Margaret Mbitu, we offer our support and prayers,’’ the ODPP stated in the statement.
This came following a successful assurance after the meeting of the US and the ODPP, via a request through the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) that occurred in June this year.
‘’The Director of Public Prosecutions assured the FBI Director Christopher Wray that he was keen to ensure justice was delivered in the case,’’ a statement from ODPP read in part.
The ODPP assured Kenyans via the communique that they are committed to ensuring that it executes its constitutional mandate in accordance with the law and prevention of the abuse to the legal process.
Kang’ethe, who escaped police custody after the arrest, was later captured in Ngong town on the outskirts of Nairobi after a five-day manhunt.
Police had disclosed that Mr Kangethe managed to walk out of the Muthaiga Police Station via Thika Road where he was being detained in February.
"We have re-arrested him. He is in custody and we thank all that helped in this," Mr Adamson Bungei, Nairobi region police boss, told the press.
