A man who was wanted for allegedly killing his girlfriend in the US has managed to escape police custody in Kenya. Kelvin Kangethe, a 41-year-old Kenyan national, was apprehended in Nairobi after a lengthy manhunt by authorities from both Kenya and the US. Despite being granted a 30-day detention period for possible extradition, Kangethe was able to walk out of a Nairobi police station and board public transportation, shocking both Kenyan citizens and law enforcement officials. The security lapse has prompted an embarrassing situation for the Kenyan police and a renewed search effort for Kangethe.
Kangethe is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu, and leaving her body in a car at a US airport. He then fled the country and returned to Kenya, his country of origin. The victim’s family, located in the US, revealed that Mbitu had planned to end her relationship with Kangethe prior to her death. She was a 30-year-old Kenyan-American nurse working in Massachusetts. Mbitu was last seen leaving her workplace in October of last year and was reported missing the same day. Her body was discovered two days later, leading authorities to investigate Kangethe’s involvement.
The investigation connected Kangethe to the murder after surveillance footage showed him leaving the airport parking lot where Mbitu’s body was eventually found. He departed the US on a flight the morning after Mbitu went missing. A Kenyan court was scheduled to decide whether Kangethe would be tried in Kenya or extradited to face first-degree murder charges in the US. Kangethe had claimed that he had renounced his US citizenship the previous year.
The security breach and escape have generated public outrage and criticism towards the Kenyan police force, which has been previously scrutinized for its alleged misconduct. The incident has further highlighted the need for improved security measures, accountability, and proper management within law enforcement agencies. The revelations and subsequent actions taken by the police will likely impact public trust and confidence in the country’s law enforcement system.
This incident also raises concerns about extradition processes and international cooperation in criminal cases. The escape of a high-profile murder suspect could damage Kenya’s reputation as a reliable partner in extraditing criminals. The US authorities, who have been actively involved in pursuing Kangethe, may question Kenya’s ability to effectively enforce custody and extradition orders.
The tragic loss of Margaret Mbitu’s life and the subsequent escape of the accused killer serve as a reminder of the importance of a robust and efficient criminal justice system that ensures the safety and protection of its citizens. Both Kenya and the US must work together to ensure justice is served and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
US Fugitive Accused of Murder Escapes Custody in Kenya
