Wanted fugitive Kevin Kang’ethe sent shockwaves rippling through the global community last week with his daring escape from the confines of Muthaiga Police Station.
His detention there had been pending extradition to the United States, where he faced grave murder charges stemming from the tragic demise of his girlfriend.
Kang’ethe’s audacious escape revealed glaring lapses in security protocols, ultimately leading to the apprehension of on-duty police officers.
Astonishingly, he simply strolled out of the station undetected, nonchalantly boarding a matatu bound for Thika Road.
As details unfold, it becomes apparent that Kang’ethe’s flight to freedom was meticulously orchestrated in collusion with close relatives and rogue elements within law enforcement.
Investigative journalist Franklin Wallah of K24 TV uncovered a disturbing revelation: a staggering sum of Sh 2 Million had been earmarked to facilitate his liberation.
The money was reportedly brought by one of his close relatives who flew from neighbouring Tanzania.
A section of senior police officers were allegedly involved in the deal.
A down payment had already been paid in dollars to facilitate his escape and the rest of the money was supposed to be paid to the cops but the suspect was cornered and re-arrested.
Family members, speaking under the shroud of anonymity, confessed to living in constant dread, fearing both the long arm of the law and potential reprisals from unknown adversaries.
They said being out there and being hunted by authorities had put them in danger of being arrested or harassed.
“We could also at times not pick up calls of some relatives we suspected had talked to Kevin. We knew his being out here was a danger to many,” said one family member who asked not to be named.
A magistrate’s court Wednesday ordered Kang’ethe to be remanded at Nairobi Remand and Allocation prison pending his extradition proceedings.
Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina allowed the application by the prosecution saying it would be inappropriate to have him remanded at a police station even for his safety.
He said the submissions by the state that he escaped from lawful custody have not been disputed or challenged.
Onyina noted that the court was not informed how he managed to escape, whether he did it on his own or was aided by other persons.
“Based on the circumstances, any escape must be subject to investigations and it would not be proper to have him remanded at Muthaiga or any other police station,” Onyina said.
His defence team had asked the court to have him returned at Muthaiga or be detained at any other station but the court said there was no reason to justify him being taken to any police station.
The matter will be mentioned on February 19 for further directions.
