Kevin Kang’ethe accused of murder denied bail by U.S court

The Suffolk Superior Court in Boston has denied bail to fugitive Kevin Kang’ethe after he pleaded not guilty to killing his girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu late last year, 2023. The court stressed that the fight for justice for Mbitu and her family was just beginning.

Kang’ethe was sent back to the USA from Nairobi on September 1, 2024 after the Director of Public Prosecution, Renson Ingonga completed the extradition process.

“I wish to reiterate my commitment and support, whenever needed, to the USA and in particular the prosecution team as they proceed with the next phase of the case,” Ingonga said in a statement on Monday.

On 31st October, 2023, Margaret Mbitu’s body was found in an SUV at Boston Logan International Airport. Kang’ethe reportedly picked Mbitu up from her workplace at around 11 p.m in Mbitu’s car, which is registered under Kang’ethe’s name.

On their way back, Kang’ethe viciously attacked Mbitu with a knife, stabbing her 10 times in the face and neck.

Nearly thirty hours after Mbitu’s family reported her missing, her body was discovered face-down in the front seat of the car.

Her body was covered with random items and the car seat was reclined to make her less visible. The suspect had responded to two calls from Mbitu’s family and colleagues during this time.

He told them that Mbitu was injured and could not answer the phone. He discarded the phone in a dumpster in Massachusetts. Detectives were able to use this information to track his movements and gather surveillance video. He then drove around Lowell and nearby areas, desperately searching for a place to hide Mbitu’s body. He fled to Nairobi on a one-way flight.

Kang’ethe had evaded Kenyan authorities for three months after arriving in the country. Acting on a tip from the public, the police  located him at a nightclub in Nairobi in late January. However, he  was involved in a dramatic escape from Muthaiga Police Station in February 2024, just a month after his arrest in Kenya. A week later on February 13, he was apprehended in Ngong where he remained in police custody for over six months following his re-arrest.

According to the police, Kang’ethe had  escaped after meeting a man who claimed to be a lawyer.

His extradition was delayed because he renounced his U.S. citizenship.
Kevin Hayden, District Attorney of Suffolk County in suburban Boston said that Kang’ethe had no criminal history in Massachusetts and he believed that domestic violence might have been a major factor in this case.

Mbitu’s loved ones, who stood behind law enforcement were grateful to the law enforcement agencies that worked together to locate Kang’ethe and bring him back to face justice. Her family emphasized the many people who were directly affected by her tragic death.
“I’m so angry, I’m still trying to process everything. At 31, we’re not supposed to be planning her funeral. We’re supposed to be planning celebrations, birthdays, weddings, travel.” her sister Ann mbitu said.

Kang’ethe is set for a pre-trial hearing in court on November, 5, 2024, with his prosecution led by the Assistant District Attorney, Mark Lee.