NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 14 – Fugitive murder suspect Kevin Kinyanjui Kang’ethe has been recaptured after his dramatic escape from police custody.
Nairobi Police Chief Adamson Bungei says the suspect who is wanted in the US for the murder of his girlfriend was re-arrested in Ngong.
“We have re-arrested the suspect and he is now in custody,” Bungei said on telephone.
He said the suspect was re-arrested in Embulbul town on Tuesday night at one of his relative’s home after days of a major hunt that involved various police units.
“We are grateful to all who worked with the police leading to the arrest, he will now be taken back to court,” he said.
Kang’ethe was transported to Nairobi under tight security in preparation for his arraignment.
Kang’ethe’s escape from Muthaiga police station on February 7 had shocked many, including US authorities who had lauded police for apprehending him having escaped from America where he was wanted in Massachusetts for killing his girlfriend identified as Margaret Mbitu on October 31, 2023.
Kang’ethe escaped after a lawyer visited him at Muthaiga Police Station and was allowed to speak to him, only to walk away prompting an unsuccessful chase by police officers.
Four officers who were on duty were later arrested.
A Massachusetts court had issued a warrant against him.
He was subsequently arrested in Nairobi’s Westlands area in a nightclub on January 30 after being on the run for three months and was taken to court where he was awaiting extradition.
According to Massachusetts State Police, Kang’ethe had abandoned Mbitu’s body in a car at Logan International Airport before fleeing to Kenya.
It is understood that he had denounced his US citizenship before fleeing to Kenya.
