DPP concludes plans to extradite murder fugitive

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has concluded extradition proceedings against murder suspect wanted in America to face justice for allegedly killing his girlfriend Margaret Mbitu last year.

State prosecutor Vincent Monda told Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina that he has handed over a copy of the extradition proceedings to Kevin Kang’ethe’s lawyers David Muthama and Anthony Kago.

Monda told Onyina that the DPP is keen to conclude the proceedings before handing Kang’ethe to the US authorities to face justice in Boston for the alleged murder of his girlfriend.

American authorities sought to have Kang’ethe extradited to Boston to be charged over the November 2023 murder of Mbitu.

The request to have Kang’ethe extradited was presented to the DPP through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in January.

Monda said all the preliminary issues have been completed and he is now ready to conclude the matter. He, however, said he is yet to receive response from the defense despite serving them with necessary documents as ordered by the court.

He added that the torture allegations raised in court by the suspect while in custody have never been raised by his lawyers and termed them as unjustified.

Kang’ethe, who represented himself after dropping his lawyers, told the court that he needed time to look for legal representation since ho does not feel well represented.

Kang’ethe urged the court to suspend the issue of whether to release him on bond or not and give him time to search for a new lawyer.

“Your honour I am praying for some time to look for another lawyer who will represent me in this matter,” he pleaded.
He prayed to the court to allow him access his phone to contact some people who he believes will help him get better legal representation.

The DPP did not oppose the plea though he said he will lias with officer investigating the matter.
In a brief ruling, Onyina allowed Kang’ethe to look for another lawyer.

He fixed the case for mention on March 1 for Kang’ethe to inform the court whether he has managed to hire a new lawyer.

Earlier, Kang’ethe claimed to have been tortured and his former lawyer never raised the issue before court.

He also lamented that he is not privy to the investigation being conducted by DCI regarding his escape from Muthaiga Police Station early this month.

Monda told the magistrate that the DPP is keen to fast track the extradition proceedings for justice to be done.

Family of the deceased expressed disappointment at the pace at which the extradition proceedings are moving.

Kang’ethe was ordered to be remanded at Industrial Area Medium Prison until Friday 1.