A Nairobi court has denied bail to a Kenyan man sought by British authorities over the alleged murder of his girlfriend in London. The court ruled that he poses a significant flight risk as extradition proceedings begin.
Milimani Principal Magistrate Caroline Mugo dismissed Brian Kiprop Kiplangat’s application for release on bond. She found that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) presented compelling reasons to keep him in custody until the extradition request is resolved.
The court heard that Kiplangat allegedly left the United Kingdom after the death of Maryanne Nduta Kilonzo in January 2025. It also heard that he was arrested on June 10 at the Namanga border while allegedly trying to cross into Tanzania.
In her decision, Magistrate Mugo said Kiplangat’s actions before and after leaving the UK showed a real likelihood that he would abscond if granted bail.
“The DPP has established that the fugitive is a flight risk and releasing him on bond will enhance the incentive for him to flee without trace,” the magistrate ruled.
The court further noted that Kiplangat is wanted in the UK over allegations of murder, manslaughter and perverting the course of justice. It also cited that he holds two Kenyan passports, issued in 2015 and 2022, saying this strengthened the case that he could evade the court process.
Magistrate Mugo said courts must exercise extra caution during extradition proceedings because suspects facing serious offences often have a stronger motive to escape.
“Extradition proceedings are not ordinary criminal cases, and for a court to release a suspect on bond calls for a lot of judicial caution, as the incentive to flee is much higher,” she said.
Although the defense pointed to Kiplangat’s family ties in Kenya, calling his mother and sister to court, the magistrate ruled that this was not enough to outweigh evidence about his previous movements.
“Absconding is real as he fled from the UK and flew to Kenya through three other countries and was attempting to leave Kenya again,” the court held.
The magistrate dismissed the bail application, ordered the DPP to fast-track the extradition process, and directed that Kiplangat remain in prison custody.
The court said it had already received a 300-page extradition request. It ordered Kiplangat to file his response within seven days, while giving the DPP 15 days to reply. The case will be mentioned on August 4.
Prosecutors told the court that Kiplangat left the UK on January 13, 2025, shortly after Nduta’s death. They said investigators later traced him to Kenya and arrested him at the Namanga border after alleging that he was trying to flee to Tanzania.
British authorities are seeking his extradition to face trial over the death of Nduta, a Kenyan banker who was working in London at the time of her death.
