On Tuesday, the Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, USA, was presented with chilling details regarding the murder of Margaret Mbitu, allegedly at the hands of her lover, Kevin Kinyanjui Kang’ethe. Kang’ethe, who had fled to Kenya, was extradited to the US and appeared in court for a preliminary hearing.
Prosecutors revealed that on October 31, 2023, Mbitu’s body was discovered in an SUV at Boston Logan International Airport during a search prompted by her disappearance. According to the prosecution, Kang’ethe had taken a cab from his home in Lowell to Mbitu’s workplace. After meeting her as she was leaving the office, he drove her home in her car, which was registered in his name.
It was during the drive that Kang’ethe allegedly attacked Mbitu with a knife, inflicting ten stab wounds to her face and neck. The prosecution also detailed that Kang’ethe, while evading capture, answered two phone calls from Mbitu’s family and coworkers, falsely claiming that she was injured and unable to speak.
Kang’ethe reportedly discarded Mbitu’s phone in a dumpster in Chelsea, a clue that led detectives to him through surveillance footage. Thirty hours later, Mbitu’s body was found in the car’s front seat, which had been reclined and covered with items to avoid detection.
In court, Mbitu’s family expressed their hope for justice while recounting their profound loss. Mary Kinyariro, Mbitu’s cousin, spoke on behalf of the victim’s sister, emphasizing their resolve to see Kang’ethe held accountable.
“It has been a long journey. Today brings hope and represents progress towards justice,” Kinyariro said, as reported by NBC Boston. “We will continue to fight until this individual is behind bars, ensuring he cannot inflict harm on another family.”
Another cousin, Joel Muhoro, remembered Mbitu as a kind and generous person who dreamed of becoming a business owner and a nurse practitioner. “We think about her dreams and the void left in our lives,” Muhoro said.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden expressed that the proceedings mark a hopeful step towards justice. “She was deeply loved, a dedicated caregiver, and a wonderful daughter and sister,” Hayden remarked.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that Kang’ethe has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges and has been denied bail. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on November 5.
