Family Of Woman Allegedly Killed By Kevin Kang'ethe In US Breaks Silence: "It Has Not Been Easy"

• Margaret Mbitu had sustained 10 wounds on the face and neck when her body was discovered abandoned in the car
• The deceased family described her as a joyful woman who had great ambitions of becoming a business owner
• Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden described Mbitu as a cherished nurse and a beautiful soul

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Kevin Kang'ethe was arraigned at Suffolk Superior Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the murder charges against him.

He is accused of killing his former girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu, and leaving her body in his car.

The prosecution alleges that Mbitu's body was found with ten wounds on her face and neck, lying face down in a reclined seat in the front of the vehicle, as per CBS News.

"She had ten wounds to her face and neck, including fatal cuts to her carotid and jugular. Kang'ethe left her body in the front seat of a heavily tinted car from the moment of her death until about 30 hours later, when he drove Mbitu's body face down, with the seat reclined and covered with bags and random items to obscure her," said prosecutor Mark Lee.

Kang'ethe reportedly attacked her with a knife before abandoning the car at the Logan Airport garage in Massachusetts.

How did Margaret Mbitu's family react

Following Kang'ethe's court appearance, Mbitu's family expressed their relief and gratitude to the authorities who facilitated his return to the US after he fled to Nairobi, Kenya.

Mary Kinyariro, a cousin, remarked that while the pursuit of justice had been long, they remained committed to fighting for it, as NBC Boston reported.

"We were worried days and nights that today would not come and I haven't slept well until today. Because of the hard work of the law enforcement and everyone here that my sister is finally getting justice. It has been a long journey coming. Today gives us hope and represents a step forward toward justice. We will continue to fight until this coward is locked up and never sees light again or gets to harm any other family and take their loved one away from them," she said.

"Today, we remember her kindness, generosity, smile, and infectious laugh, which lit up every room she offered. We think about her dreams of being a business owner, of becoming a nurse practitioner to help care for others and we remember the hole left in our lives," another cousin, Joel Muhoro, added.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden also described Mbitu as a deeply loved caregiver, a cherished nurse, a beautiful soul, and a wonderful daughter and sister.

Kevin Kang'ethe extradited to the US

Kang'ethe was sent back to the US to face a murder charge levelled against him after his girlfriend's body was found in his car.

DPP Renson Ingonga said he will be committed to supporting the prosecution, especially the FBI team as Kang'ethe's case advances.

The office of the DPP also promised to offer prayers to Mbitu's family in their quest for justice.

What else you need to know about Kelvin Kang'ethe

• A week after his arrest, he escaped the highly guarded Muthaiga Police Station
• He was rearrested from his Ngong' hideout with the help of close relatives
• His lawyer and four police officers linked to the escape were arrested

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke