Harun Mbitu, the father of the slain nurse Margaret Mbitu, has expressed his gratitude to both the Kenya Police and its US counterpart for tracking down the main suspect in his daughter's murder.
Speaking to WCVB, a TV station based in New York, Harun noted that he was grateful that after three excruciating months in search for the suspect, the police finally tracked him down to a club in Westlands, Nairobi.
"I am very thankful to the American and Kenyan governments," the father, who was flanked by Margaret's brother, told the press.
The brother, on the other hand, emotionally revealed that although Margaret was deceased, she continued to inspire the family every day.
He noted that the three months had been tough but the family was glad that the police finally caught up with the suspect who had been on the run.
"We have been looking forward to this day since we heard he fled," he told the press.
"Maggie lives on through us every day. She still inspires me and all of us. She is still in our minds and hearts always."
Kevin Hayden, Suffolk County District Attorney, hailed the collaboration between the two countries as groundbreaking.
He further stated that the arrest provided a little bit of relief to the family.
"Their tremendous and untiring efforts will provide Margaret's family and friends the opportunity to see Kevin Kangethe face justice for this terrible crime," he revealed in a statement.
The suspect was nabbed while having a good time on Monday, January 29, by Kenyan police officers working on a tip-off from members of the public.
He was taken to Gigiri Police Station as investigations into his alleged crimes hit a fever pitch across the two continents.
Shortly after the arrest, the US embassy commended the Kenyan law enforcement noting that multi-agency teams had been collaborating on the case.
"The US Embassy in Nairobi commends the efforts of Kenyan law enforcement for apprehending Kenyan fugitive Kevin Kangethe, suspected to have murdered Margaret Mbitu in Massachusetts sometime between October 30 and November 4, 2023," read the US Embassy statement in part.
"United States law enforcement, the Kenyan Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have been working side by side to locate and capture the fugitive. The United States and Kenya are committed to strengthening law enforcement cooperation to apprehend criminal offenders, eliminate criminal activities, and advance justice."
Margaret's lifeless body was found at Logan Airport in the United States inside a car belonging to Kangethe.
