Fugitive Arrested at Namanga Border Denied Bail in UK Murder Case

The Nairobi court has directed the fugitive who is wanted in the United Kingdom UK to face the murder charges to remain in custody until the hearing of his extradition is heard and determined.

While delivering the ruling, Milimani Principal Magistrate Caroline Mugo indicated that though the law guarantees the right to liberty of the accused persons, the applicant has compelled the court with the sufficient grounds to deny the suspect bond.

The Magistrate stated that “after weighing the conflict consideration, I am satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated compelling reasons to deny bond until the matter is heard and determined.”

“I have considered the submissions by the applicant and considered the fact that the suspect was arrested at the Namanga border, leaving the country; the court is convinced that he remains in custody,” the magistrate ruled.

The court also noted the nature of the offences the suspect is alleged to have committed in the UK, which are grave in both countries, and the possibility of absconding if released at this juncture must be considered.

The Magistrate further considered the suspect’s personal circumstances, namely that he is a Kenyan and his family hails from the country. Still, she indicated that family ties are not a guarantee against the grounds provided by the prosecution for his possibility of absconding.

Prosecuting counsel, Victor Owiti, in his submission, urged the court to deny Brian Kiplangat bond and direct that he remain in custody until their notice of motion is heard and determined.

“Your honour, we plead with this court to give an order for the suspect to remain in custody until our application is heard and determined,” Owiti submitted.

He told the court that the suspect is wanted by a court in the UK, where he is connected with the murder of his girlfriend, Marianne Nduta Kilonzi, in January 2025.

Owiti told the Magistrate that the offence he is alleged to have committed is a crime in common law, and he is the main suspect since he was captured by CCTV cameras leaving the house of her girlfriend, who was later found dead.

“On the same day he was captured leaving the house of the deceased, a few hours later he took a flight and flew back to Kenya, and he never returned,” Owiti told the court.

He added that Kiplangat is wanted to face the charges of murder, alternative manslaughter and perverting the course of justice, which are serious offences under common law.

The court heard that Kiplangat was arrested on June 10, 2026, at the Namanga border with a temporary passport heading to Tanzania, where he was arrested. Owiti added that he holds a passport but opted to apply for a temporary one to evade arrest.

Quoting Article 49 of the constitution, he told the court that the accused persons have the right to be released on cash bail or bond unless compelling reasons and “I would wish to remind the defence that the right to bond or cash bail is not absolute.”

The defence drew the court to consider Article 49(h) of the Constitution regarding the right to liberty of the accused or suspects, and the same is not supposed to be denied.

“All offences are bailable, and we urge this court to dismiss the application by the state to detain the suspect further; he is a Kenyan born in Eldoret,” the defence submitted.

They informed the court that the suspect’s travel documents are held by the immigration, hence he cannot leave the jurisdiction of the court.

In determnation, the court directed the respondent to be detained in lawful custody until the matter is concluded. She also directed the prosecution to hurry up so that the matter could be heard and concluded as soon as possible.

The hearing will proceed on July 4, 2026.