A Nairobi court has denied bail to a Kenyan man wanted by British authorities over the alleged murder of his girlfriend in London, ruling 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, finding that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had established compelling reasons to keep him in custody pending the determination of the extradition request.
The court heard that Kiplangat allegedly fled the United Kingdom (UK) after the death of Maryanne Nduta Kilonzo in January 2025 and was arrested on June 10 at the Namanga border while allegedly attempting to cross into Tanzania.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mugo said the suspect's conduct before and after leaving the UK demonstrated a real likelihood that he would abscond if released.
"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 noted that Kiplangat is wanted in the United Kingdom on allegations of murder, manslaughter and perverting the course of justice. It further observed that he holds two Kenyan passports, issued in 2015 and 2022, which strengthened the prosecution's argument that he could easily evade the court process.
Mugo said extradition proceedings require greater judicial caution because suspects facing serious offences have a stronger incentive 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 defence relied on Kiplangat's family ties in Kenya, including presenting his mother and sister in court, the magistrate found this insufficient to overcome the evidence of 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, directed the DPP to fast-track the extradition proceedings and ordered Kiplangat to remain in prison custody.
The court said it had already received a 300-page extradition request and directed Kiplangat to file his response within seven days, while the DPP was given 15 days to reply. The matter will be mentioned on August 4.
The prosecution says Kiplangat left the UK on January 13, 2025, shortly after Nduta's death. He was later traced to Kenya and arrested at the Namanga border after investigators alleged he was attempting to flee to Tanzania.
British authorities are seeking his extradition to stand trial over the death of Nduta, a Kenyan banker who was working in London at the time of her death.
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