Kevin Kang’ethe denied bail over murder charges in US

Murder suspect Kevin Kang’ethe has been denied bail or bond by a US court.

Kang’ethe, who was arraigned before the Suffolk Superior Court in Pemberton Square, Boston, on September 3, 2024, is accused of murdering Margaret Mbitu.

Kang’ethe was extradited to the US from Nairobi on September 1, 2024, where he is accused of murdering Margaret Mbitu in Massachusetts between October 30 and November 1, 2023.

He has denied the charges against him.

“Kevin Kangethe was denied bail/bond by a court in the United States of America (USA). He was arraigned before the Suffolk Superior Court in Pemberton Square, Boston, on September 3, 2024, and denied murdering Margaret Mbitu,” Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) stated.

“The court ruled he will be held without bail.”

The court heard that the suspect and deceased were in a romantic relationship that had been marred by reports of domestic brutality.

The matter was set for a pre-trial date on November 5, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Kang’ethe is accused of murdering a 31-year-old Kenyan-born lady based in Whitman, Massachusetts, found inside a vehicle at Boston’s Logan Airport.

Kang’ethe escapes to Kenya

The suspect then escaped to Kenya, where he was arrested at a Westlands nightclub while partying. The fugitive was then taken to Muthaiga Police Station, where he escaped, prompting an intensive search.

Kang’ethe was later re-arrested in Ngong at a relative’s compound, where he was hiding.

Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina ruled in favour of his extradition on July 31, 2024, clearing the way for his departure on September 1, 2024.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has successfully secured the extradition of Kevin Kang’ethe to the United States of America. Kang’ethe left Nairobi on September 1, 2024, and is set to face the charge of murder at Suffolk Superior Court in Pemberton Square, Boston on September 3, 2024,” the statement by DPP read in part.

ODPP said the extradition follows assurances made by DPP Ingonga to FBI Director Christopher Wray during discussions in Nairobi in June 2024, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to expeditiously handling the case.