• Sources aware of the operation said police were tipped off that Kangethe had arrived at the home of his cousin in Embulbul on Tuesday night.
Details have emerged about how wanted murder suspect Kevin Kinyanjui Kang'ethe who escaped from police custody on February 7, was rearrested by detectives in Ngong, Kajiado.
The escapee was taken to custody following a scrupulous intelligence-led operation within Ngong Township in Kajiado.
The murder suspect had escaped from Muthaiga police station where he was being held awaiting extradition to the United States to answer to a charge of first-degree murder.
Sources aware of the operation said police were tipped off that Kangethe had arrived at the home of his cousin in Embulbul on Tuesday night.
He had been on the run after realizing his only brother in Kenya and a girlfriend who had been in touch with him had been arrested in Ololua and Westlands respectively.
Detectives had been rounding up all those who had gotten in touch with Kangethe since his escape last week as part of efforts to get him back in custody.
Among those who had been arrested was his cousin and lawyer who was however released on police bond.
According to reports, on Monday he had called several relatives using a mobile phone provided to him.
He then switched the gadget off as he moved from one place to the other.
Detectives who were searching for him were sure he was in Ngong.
This is the area where he had also withdrawn money from an agent and this informed police he was there.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.
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