Murder suspect Kelvin Kang’ethe, wanted in the US for allegedly killing his girlfriend Margaret Mbitu, has fired his lawyers after a falling out and alleged torture by police and prison officers while in custody.
Kang’ethe alleged torture before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina when his case was mentioned on Tuesday, saying he had visible bodily injuries.
He also fired his lawyers, David Muthama and Anthony Kago, saying they did not help him after he raised the torture claims, and said he did not wish to proceed with the bail and bond application hearing without legal representation.
Kang’ethe was to apply to be freed on bail and bond ahead of proceedings for his extradition to the US but this hearing has now been pushed to March 1, 2024.
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The suspect, 41, fled from the US after killing Mbitu and leaving her body inside a car parked at Boston’s Logan International Airport.
He was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, early in February while leaving a club, after a months-long manhunt, and detained at the Muthaiga Police Station.
Kang’ethe later escaped from the Muthaiga station, where he was to be held for 30 days ahead of possible extradition, under circumstances that put security authorities to shame as he simply walked out.
He was re-arrested in Ngong a week later and remanded to the Nairobi Area Remand and Allocation Prison in the Industrial Area by Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina. The prison escape prompted Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Vincent Monda to plead for his transfer to the prison facility.
Four people including police officers, who are accused of helping Kang’ethe to escape, are in custody.
The state wants the murder suspect extradited to the US where he is wanted for the first-degree murder of Mbitu last October.
Monda earlier informed the court that they were ready to proceed with the bond hearing and had expedited proceedings in an effort to conclude the matter. He told the court that Kangethe’s lawyers were informed of the mention date via email and that they had acknowledged receiving the notification.
The suspect, however, opposed the prosecution’s request and asked the court to order his access to his mobile phone to enable him hire a different lawyer.
Onyina directed the ODPP to arrange for the suspect to find a new lawyer.
