After a disagreement with attorneys, extradition is on hold as Kang’ethe claims torture

Kelvin Kang’ethe, wanted in the US for allegedly murdering his girlfriend, is claiming he was subjected to torture and brutality by the Kenyan police and prison authorities.

He made these allegations as it became apparent that the murder suspect had severed ties with his lawyers, who have subsequently withdrawn from the case.

Kang’ethe, who was rearrested and detained at Industrial Area Remand Prison two weeks ago following his dramatic escape from Muthaiga police station, faces extradition to the US, where he is wanted for the murder of his girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu.

During Tuesday’s court proceedings, Kang’ethe informed Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina that he had been tortured and bore visible marks on his hands and body.

The court session was scheduled to address directions on hearing his bond, pending the extradition proceedings, but his lawyers were absent.

“I do not wish to continue with bond/bail arguments for now without legal representation,” Kang’ethe stated.

This declaration followed the court’s knowledge that the attorneys who had previously represented him had fallen out with Kang’ethe and abandoned the case.

Prosecutor Vincent Monda expressed readiness to proceed with the bond hearing and expedite the extradition proceedings to conclude the matter.

“We had notified the defense counsels of today’s mention date via email, and they had acknowledged receipt. We want these proceedings expedited,” Monda stated.

However, Kang’ethe opposed the prosecution’s request and urged the court to grant him access to his mobile phone to contact a lawyer of his choosing.

He raised concerns about potential collusion, given that his lawyers were provided by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the agency involved in the investigations against him.

“The lawyers who have been acting on my behalf were seconded to me by the DCI. I wonder why the agency involved in the investigations against me should be the ones offering me legal representation,” Kang’ethe remarked.

He revealed that detectives had directed that anyone interacting with him must be processed by the DCI headquarters, limiting his ability to communicate with lawyers freely.

“They said I cannot talk to anybody, even lawyers, without approval from DCI headquarters. The reason they gave me was that it was for my own safety,” he explained.

Kang’ethe requested permission to access his mobile phone to secure legal representation, a plea the magistrate granted. The case will be mentioned again on March 1.

Kang’ethe had previously alleged mistreatment in prison and torture by police officers during his rearrest in Ngong after escaping from Muthaiga police station.

The state is seeking Kang’ethe’s extradition to face a first-degree murder charge related to the killing of Mbitu on October 31, 2023, in the US state of Massachusetts. After the crime, Kang’ethe left her body in a locked car at the airport garage and boarded a flight for Kenya.