Information has surfaced regarding the methods used by detectives in Ngong, Kajiado, to apprehend wanted murder suspect Kevin Kinyanjui Kang’ethe, who escaped from police custody on February 7.
After a meticulous intelligence-led operation in Kajiado’s Ngong Township, the escaped person was apprehended.
After breaking out of the Muthaiga police station, where he was being detained in anticipation of his extradition to the United States to face charges of first-degree murder, the murder suspect fled.
According to people with knowledge of the operation, police received a tip that Kangethe had shown up at his cousin’s house in Embulbul on Tuesday evening.
He had gone on the run after learning that his girlfriend, who had kept in contact with him, and his only brother in Kenya had been taken into custody in Ololua and Westlands.
To get Kangethe back into custody, detectives had been contacting everyone who had spoken to him since his escape last week.
His cousin and attorney were among those detained; they were, however, freed on a police bond.
Reports state that he used a given mobile phone to call multiple relatives on Monday.
Then, as he was going from one place to another, he turned the device off.
He was definitely in Ngong, according to the detectives looking for him.
He had also taken money from an agent in this area, letting the police know he was there.
On Tuesday night, he walked to the home of one of the relatives and sought refuge.
Police said the relative was initially unsure of what to do with him given the trend of arrests of those who had talked to or hosted Kangethe.
It was then police were tipped off the wanted suspect was in the area.
A team was dispatched to the area to get him and found him chatting with the relative.
He had taken his supper and was relaxed when the team arrived.
Witnesses said he did not resist the arrest as he lay down as ordered and was handcuffed.
The relative was also picked up alongside Kangethe for grilling.
They were driven to custody ahead of a planned grilling.
Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said the arrest was a breakthrough in an incident that had raised many concerns.
Police said they intended to produce him in court to face charges of illegal escape pending the extradition one.
Kangethe escaped from Muthaiga police station in an incident that shocked many.
He was awaiting extradition on a Massachusetts warrant.
He was arrested in Westlands on January 30 and was to be extradited when he escaped from custody.
Kangethe, 40, had been detained pending a ruling on whether he should be extradited to face a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Margaret Mbitu on October 31, 2023.
Massachusetts State Police said in early November 2023, Kangethe had left Mbitu’s body in a car at Logan International Airport and boarded a flight to Kenya.
Massachusetts officials said they were working with Kenyan authorities to locate him, and he was arrested in a nightclub on January 30 after being on the run for three months.
Kangethe had renounced his U.S. citizenship, which prompted the extradition process.
A Nairobi court had approved a police application for him to be detained for 30 days while the extradition issue was heard.
Officials said had he been an American citizen, he would have been repatriated without a court process.
Police believe Kangethe met his brother after he escaped custody.
Dozens of detectives had been tasked to hunt Kangethe for possible arraignment and extradition to the US.
A warrant of arrest was last Friday issued against Kang’ethe.
Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina gave the orders after an application by the prosecution, who said Kang’ethe is a dangerous person and on the run.
Four police officers who were on duty at the Muthaiga Police Station when Kang’ethe escaped from custody have been interdicted.
