Billy Chemirmir is facing the death penalty in the US following allegations that he killed more than 22 grandmothers at care homes for the elderly in the United States.
Born and raised in Kabunyony village in Eldama Ravine, he moved to the US in the 1990s with the help of his sister.
According to a report by Dallas News in February, Chemirmir was accused of suffocating at least 22 senior citizens living in Dallas, Texas.
Dallas police provide that the string of murders was committed at a number of care homes dating back to 2016.
Police reports hold that Chemirmir would pose as a maintenance worker to gain access to the apartments and homes.
He would then smother the helpless residents with pillows before stealing valuables to sell online. He was finally caught in 2018 as he attempted to dispose of a gold chain into a dumpster.
Chemirmir is now being held in a prison in Dallas, Texas after failing to raise the bail of Ksh1.18 billion.
The case has become increasingly complicated as it captured international attention.
The death penalty, usually reserved for the most heinous crimes has been proposed for Billy's case.
Kenyans living in the diaspora have declared that the case is already being used as a political tool to cast a bad light on immigrants.
John Namisi, a Kenyan in Texas echoed these fears, stating:
"This case has provided green fodder for the so-called ultra-right groups which are exploiting it to drum up support for more restrictive immigration laws,” Namisi is quoted in the Daily Nation.
“In this kind of environment, regardless of whatever crimes he is accused of, it’s hard to imagine that Mr. Chemirmir will get a fair hearing.”
A Kenyan attorney living in Dallas has expressed that right-wing media channels are using Chemirmir's case to reinforce Trump's anti-immigrant sentiments.
